Just a month ago, China passed a new law stating that all adult children must visit his or her parents frequently and offer them financial support. This act was intended to provide children with a "wake-up call" and to bring children to deal with things that they would not normally until much later.
The author writes about how this act could be a controversial one, causing children to hate their parents instead of appreciating them, as intended, because of the frequent visits, now required, that are being forced upon them. Personally, I don't believe that children should be forced to see their parents this way. There are many reasons that could be holding back children from going to visit their parents "frequently." Hostility between child and parent, country boundaries, and even the lack of money and time were all possible reasons that could have been holding back children from visiting their parents ever so frequently. Though I do sympathize with the author in that I would want my children to have a relationship with their grandparents, there are just many restrictions in this generation that don't support our desires to do so. The act can be seen as a "wake-up call" for many, but it is a little absurd, unnecessary, and inconvenient.
Because the elderly population in China is dramatically increasing and there is no money to help fund for them without a social security system, China is pushing children themselves to provide the financial support for their parents. It's strange that China is a country yet to establish a social security system despite being a communist government. They're going to need one very soon, especially with the increasing population.
Article: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/politics/2013/07/wake-call-chinas-visit-your-parents-law/6377/
Wow! This is something new. I agree with you that there might be many different reasons that children might not want to visit their parents. I too believe that children should not be forced to visit their parents frequently and provide them with financial support. I think there was a good balance in your commentary and the background information. You did a really good job, and it was short and sweet.
ReplyDeleteHi Sami :) This new law is very interesting! I find that it will be challenging to implement this law because the conditions are so subjective. For example, what defines "visiting often?" It could be every 2 weeks, to every month. Moreover, I also agree that these forced visits will not do anything to improve parent/child relationships, but obviously it is great for the pockets of elderly care providers. You did a great job stating your stance and supporting it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sami
ReplyDeleteI agree that this act was a little unnecessary, because if China really cared about the older generation, they could have disclose to several people that visiting can be encouraging to their parents. Instead, passing a new law which was a bit absurd. Although it is understandable from the parent’s perspectives that it is hard to live without any support from their kids. However, I believe that china is struggling to keep their economy and population going, thus, pushing young adults for extra help.
Also, I liked how you were trying to be unbiased while supporting your point. You gave a good short analysis and pointing out how author’s writing could have been controversial. Overall, it was an interesting article to read about and you made it simpler by analyzing the whole article without missing any information.
After reading your commentary and article, I find the topic you are analyzing to be very interesting. I have not heard of this new law until now and I agree with your position that it will do nothing to help aid the elderly of the Chinese population. I agree that being forced into visiting their parents will only discourage them further. You did a great job on your commentary!
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