"The father and mother have become the sellers, and the sellers have become the father and mother."

(Translation) "Commerce in our society is more than just an exchange of goods for goods. It carries deeper dimensions, including the commodification of human relationships. In our society, children and financial gains are often viewed as commodities, with parents seeking to enhance their social status or gain material advantages through having children or investing in their education. Simultaneously, children face pressure to achieve financial success, often seen as an investment that must yield a return. This leads to a natural disintegration of parenthood, where the relationship between parents and children becomes based on mutual interests and benefits rather than unconditional love and care.

This concept of trade and commerce in human relationships has had serious implications for our society. It has led to the commodification of education, rising suicide rates among youth, an increase in drug use, and a loss of spiritual values. Furthermore, it has resulted in the disintegration of the family, where the father and mother become mere 'sellers' of children, striving to provide for their material needs, while children become 'sellers' to their parents, attempting to fulfill their expectations.

This economic exploitation of human relationships is one of the primary factors that has led to the deterioration of our society. It must be addressed to tackle the other issues we face.

**Notes:** * The original text is in Persian, and this is an English translation of the text. * Dr. Ali Shari'ati is an Iranian scholar and revolutionary thinker, known for his works on parenthood, family, and society.

**Note to the editor:** * This article is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered a social or political commentary.