Argumentative Essays

DUTY OF CHILDREN

The fact that there are 'Old Folks' Homes' in almost all countries in
the world and that millions of older people are homeless, even in so-
called advanced countries, points to the fact that not all children look
after aged parents. It is generally believed that humans are grateful
beings and are anxious to return help once given. If this is true then
children should be anxious to look after their aged parents, but such is
not the case. It is indeed pathetic to see once proud souls living in loved
ones, just waiting for Death to come and claim them. In Singapore
neglect of old parents is serious enough to warrant the government
considering passing a law to ensure that children look after aged parents.

It is certainly seems to be the duty of children to look after their

parents. It goes without saying that parents who made many sacrifies to
look after their growing children deserve to be looked after when they
are to old to fend themselves. Deprived of all sentimentality, this is just a
repayment of depts. Also, a person who looks after his aged parents can
expect his own children to look after him when he himself grows too old
to look after himself: He would have been a good role model for his own
children. Hence we can agree that it is the duty of children to look after
aged parents. However a question can be asked, "Is this always true?"

What if parents have neglected their children? There are instances

of parents - especially fathers - deserting their wives and children when
they are young and then coming back to live off them when they are too
old. In most such circumstances the recalcitrant parent is contrite and
demonstrates with real tears that he is sorry for what he has done. To
take him back would not be justice. Would the children then be under
any moral obligation then? It certainly does not seem so.
 Another situation for consideration is when a person is not able to
look after his parents. What if a person is poor, pr lives in a small home
or if he does not have the time to give the elderly - often sick - parent
the attention he or she needs? Also, what if the adult child is himself or
herself too sick to take on the added responsibility? In such cases also,
there could be exceptions.

However baring all the above, under normal circumstances it can

be agreed that adult children must look after their aged parents. In this
regard any government is fully justified in passing a law to ensure that
they do. Perhaps too the government can appoint an authority to
mediate and make decisions where there are factors to consider to
warrant an exception to the law.

(483 words)