A plea to the parents

I was lucky to have been brought up in a humble home and turned out a disciplined girl but on the other hand I was never taught to shut up when I see something disgraceful.In other words, I am very judgmental. And even though I am not proud of it, I still go on and criticize what I think is a lame job. And today I will pass judgment on the terrible job that the parents of this generation have done- now do not get me wrong- I believe I have turned out better than average thanks to my parents but it is not the way I was brought up that I have a problem with. It is the isolation that I am criticizing - growing up without being introduced to other relatives - always in boarding schools and then locked up during the holiday because they claim it’s a rotten world out there.My parents have a very large family - even the distant relatives know each other and therefore careless mistakes like the ones I made are impossible.I guess you are wondering what I am rumbling about. This is what’s up!I recently got involved with someone whom I believed was the perfect guy, we dated for about 2 months and I can comfortably say I have never been happier. The problem came in when I was showing him off to my cousins- only to find out we are related and not just that simple stuff of my mother’s best friends brothers sister- it was as close as my mum’s late brother was this dude’s dad.Now I am glad I was not quick to spread a leg but what if? Incest is not something new in this generation and I believe I wouldn’t have been the first.On numerous occasions I have attended different events with my father and have been introduced to his cousins, even people you think of as family friends, but of course young people do not attend these functions- so we do not get to meet them.You then meet them in a hangout and believe you have landed yourself a hot babe/dude with no knowledge that they are your first cousins.My point is if my grandfather made it a point to make sure my father met all his relatives so that he would not end up marrying one of them- why is it so difficult for parents to make an effort and make sure we meet all our cousins so we can avoid the embarrassment and heartbreak that I had to experience during the festive season.Happy New Year and be very vigilant about who your next boyfriend or girlfriend is.