obligation or not?
By baban88
@baban88 (103)
Philippines
July 19, 2010 5:09am CST
greetings myloters, I been thinking of things about our parents and I came up asking myself, "is it really our obligation to take care of our parents when they grow old?".... .some say its not our damn thing to do because we didn't ask them to bore us in the first place", other say yes we should take care of them when they grow old coz its the right thing. .for me in our country it is in our culture to take care of our parents when they grow old, but some times our parents just go to other place and just live by there own it sounds sad though but sometimes it really happens..for me it is my obligation to take care of them, lets just say that I'm paying back what I've owe from them its normal but still it's not enough, but aside from that I love my parents and i valued them so much,its hard for me to see them leave and go somewhere else their my family and not just any other person, well thats just my opinion how about you?pls. share".. =]
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Satenik (102)
• Armenia
20 Jul 10
You can't understand what parent is until you become a parent yourself.
I just want to tell you a story.
Once there lived a father with his son. As time passed and the father grew old, the son decided to get rid of him. He got a sack, put his father into it and carried him to a hill. He wanted to throw his father down the hill. As they reached the place, the father called from inside the sack: "Don't forget to take the sack back with you". "Why is that?", asked the son. And the reply was "So that many years from now your own son brings you to this hill".
The son regretted for everything and took his father home.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
20 Jul 10
It is our asian culture to give respect to our elders and taking care of them when they grow old is one of them.
One is not obliged to take care of them but as a gesture of our love and respect for our parents who have brought us up, given us an education, sheltered us amongst others.
@heavan (17)
• India
20 Jul 10
I don't say its our obligation to look after our parents. But as a son you should always be ready to help them when they are in need at old age. Regarding your parents left you because they want some space for themselves and do not want to be a burden on your family.They can't bear if some one says at this old age, so they want to be all alone.If you want you can visit them in weekends or call them.
@daemonsparta (24)
• United States
20 Jul 10
if your parents raised you with love and care you better pay them back by taking good care of them. if you don't something is wrong with you.
@reswelvir (11)
• Czech Republic
20 Jul 10
Nope, its not our obligation. But look at it this way, when you grow old do you want live alone and live in a retirement home? Or would you prefer to live with one of your kids together with your grandchildren? It's like paying forward, take care of your parents now and your kids will take care of you down the road.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Jul 10
Hi Baban,
It may not be our "obligation" but it should be something we would want to do. I took care of my mom in her final months. It's really really hard and I don't expect my kids to do that for me. I don't even want them to. Truthfully I hope I go real quick like my dad did and no one has to worry about me or deal with me. I don't think there is a right or wrong in this one. All depends on your ability to care for them and your desire to. My brother and I took care of my mom for months after the doctor told us she only had a short time to live. It was really really hard as I had a young daughter and a full time job and was taking care of her all day before going into work 2nd shift. It really took a toll on my time with my daughter. I would not want any of my girls to do that for me but I don't regret doing it. It's what SHE wanted. I personally don't want that from my kids.
@Bhadine (594)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
For me, it is NOT an obligation. No one can force us to take good care of our parent when they grow old. In my case, I do love my parents and they don't have to ask me to take good care of them. I will heartily do that because I want them to know that I am willing to do everything for them just like what they were willing to do for me. I will take good care of them just like how they took good care of me. I love them and I will be happy to serve them. I will take good care of my parents because they deserve it.
@cursoralbert99 (412)
• Malaysia
20 Jul 10
to take care of our parents when they grow old is not an obligation.
but somehow, to show respect and thanks towards their shed and tears, sacrifices and time for bringing us up into this world, taking care of our parents are certainly one of the way.
but, doing it must sincere and not feeling forced.
