China's New Elderly Law

[pam]

How China’s ‘visit your parents’ law seeks to foster family unity | Deseret News

China implemented a “visit your parents” law on July 1 that requires children to visit their elderly parents (60 and older) “frequently.” The new provision added teeth to an existing law that “says offspring of parents older than 60 should see that their daily, financial and spiritual needs are met,” the Associated Press reported.

I think this is an interesting concept considering that many of the elderly in the US are left alone.

Your thoughts on this?

[Guest]

What if they don't live anywhere near them?

[NeuroTypical]

What if the parents are toxic and harmful?

There are other ways to Honor Thy Father and Mother besides having frequent contact with them.

[Bini]

My parents are in China right now. They'd love this setup since they tend to feel that they don't see us kids enough or grandkids. They're in their late 60's and early 70's.

I agree that no one should be forced to interact or be around toxic people. Yet (maybe someone who believes this can clarify for me) some think that it's okay for children to be in toxic families DUE to mummy's and daddy's toxic marriage, ultimately hurting the children.

[applepansy]

That they have to make a law bothers me. This is something we should just do. Even if our elderly parents are toxic we should find a way to take care of them.

[Backroads]

My first thought was, that with all of China's other laws and culture, this is a positive thing. Something that ought to be done without a law, but probably with a good spirit.

But I can see problems of distance and toxicity arising.

I suppose it would all depend on the definition of "frequently".

[pam]

Well one thing..it sure puts a burden on that ONE child. Since you can only have one child in China.

[Jenamarie]

Well one thing..it sure puts a burden on that ONE child. Since you can only have one child in China.

That's just what I was thinking. You have two young people having to support *four* older persons. Even if they're perfectly, emotionally healthy people, the health issues and living issues that can come with age can be a heavy burden for that couple to carry without any help from siblings.

[applepansy]

Was this part 2 of their population control plan?

[Dravin]

Your thoughts on this?

I almost wonder if it is intended to cut down on use of social services or if it was a law put into place with the thought of reinforcing the culture (aka trying to curb a perceived moral decline). Not that those two goals are mutually exclusive, if the motivation is primarily financial I expect China is seeing the, probably unintended, consequences of a changing population pyramid resulting from their 1 child policy. The thing is as long as the policy remains in place the issue will become more extreme.

I suppose it would all depend on the definition of "frequently".

There are similar definition and interpretation issues with the prior law requiring children to meet daily, financial, and spiritual needs.

[Backroads]

There are similar definition and interpretation issues with the prior law requiring children to meet daily, financial, and spiritual needs.

I say let us get some better definitions.

[mnn727]

When my mother was alive we often disagreed about how much of my time she could monopolize.

[MorningStar]

That was my thought too - big burden for that one child.