Thousands of adult children in Kerala silently endure long years of emotional abuse, narcissistic control, neglect, and psychological harm from their parents. Many sacrifice their education, social life, career opportunities, and mental well-being — often as only children — while carrying the heavy burden of toxic family dynamics. Yet, when they grow up and try to build their own families, they have almost no legal protection or recourse.

Current Indian and Kerala laws are heavily one-sided:

- The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 gives strong rights and maintenance claims to parents against adult children.

- There is no equivalent provision for adult children facing prolonged emotional, psychological, or narcissistic abuse from parents.

- General civil remedies exist in theory, but they are extremely difficult to access, especially when the parent holds social, economic, or political influence.

- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, does not adequately cover adult sons or the unique power imbalances in parent-adult child relationships.

This imbalance leaves many families trapped in cycles of trauma. The psychological toll — anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and lost opportunities — affects not just the adult child, but also their spouse and children. Films like  Appan (2022) directed by K.B Maju, have powerfully shown how such toxic dynamics play out in Kerala homes, yet real-life victims often have nowhere to turn for justice or compensation.

Kerala has always been a progressive state in social welfare and education. It is time to extend the same spirit of protection and accountability to adult children who have suffered years of emotional abuse.

We demand that the Kerala Legislative Assembly and Law Reforms Commission take immediate steps to:

1. Study and recognize “Parental Emotional and Narcissistic Abuse” as a civil wrong.

2. Introduce legislation that allows adult children to seek:

   - Compensation (lump-sum or structured) for documented psychological harm, lost educational/career opportunities, and financial distress.

   - Fast-track mechanisms through Family Courts with provision for interim relief.

   - Safeguards in cases involving power imbalances.

3. Mandate counselling while ensuring genuine victims have access to meaningful redressal.

4. Place this issue before the Committee on Petitions and conduct public consultations.

This reform will not weaken families — it will strengthen them by promoting mutual accountability and protecting the mental health of future generations.

Sign this petition to urge the Kerala Government, Hon'ble Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and the Law Reforms Commission to act. Share it widely so that no more adult children have to suffer in silence.

Together, we can push for balanced family laws that protect everyone — parents and adult children alike.

Petition created by a concerned citizen of Kerala.