I am sure this post is going to annoy many people. Sorry for that however I do see there is a problem. For many generations Elderly were taken care by their children however due to nuclear family, recent better medical facility,greater longevity,Foreign travels, stressful life for youngsters and due to many other factors. In modern world it isn't possible to take care of Elderly for younger sandwich generation.Taking care of elderly and taking care of their children. I do appreciate what my parents have done but I am sick and tired of mentality of parents forcing and demanding to be taken care by their children. I know children who go bankrupt due to supporting their parents and are unable to save anything for their future life. This chain of bankruptcy in elder age would continue if as a country we didn't do anything about it. Elderly think they can steal and force children to give their money. I think parents should be grateful with whatever their children can provide. From many generation we as society has taken that Elderly Adults seem to have absolutely no personal responsibility. Anybody who hits 60 and everybody thinks person is old to work and should take slowly. I have seen some active 90 years old even in India and I feel their effort is commendable as they work and take responsibility of themselves rather than burdening their children's life. For next 20-30 years same person has no saving and very lucky few pension if they were in government job. Today's reality is most working young people are unable to take care of themselves, hold jobs,have even relationship, create sufficient income and take care of their children too. Why today's youngsters are afraid of marriages and children recently ? Everywhere in the world adults in their 20s and 30s feel so overwhelmed with their parents expectations and demand. Not because children do not want to but they feel the burden of the responsibility. They are barely able to find their own feet in ever changing and ever demanding world. There is news for elderly parents that children wouldn't be able to take care of them as they themselves are barely getting by. Children had expectations too and which have been unfulfilled. Children have been good enough to forgive your improper parenting, lack of earning abilities and proper financial planning. It is only fair for parents to forgive a child for not being able to take care of them even though they would love to. Child isn't born and shouldn't be born with the expectation that you have to take care of your parents. Every parent should be bringing a new born without expectation and unconditional love. Child has absolutely no say whether they want to take care of their parents or not and from earlier age they are badgered with requests.As a small child, many children had agreed to take care of their parents but they didn't know what they were agreeing to or whether their circumstances would allow them to. In Ideal world, every child would like to see their parents to be living comfortably but due to lack of time and money this isn't possible. What kind of society we are creating ? Where parents are behaving as irresponsibly and children are made to behave as adults from younger age.(Child labour isn't uncommon.) We constantly justify this kind of irresponsible behaviour with "oh ! they took care of you so you should now." When parents might not have been able to provide them with support which they might have needed for education, marriage, property, healthy family, etc. Parents should be grateful that they didn't have to take further care of children and is independent. Maybe we are not fully ready to agree that we all have personal responsibility towards ourselves. When oxygen mask are dropped in plane people should take care of themselves before taking care of someone else. Would parents be happier that they were taken care with resentment and crushing their children's dream. I do not see any point for children to give up their life and dreams for somebody who is going to die in next 10- 20 years.(Sorry that is reality.) Parents should be supportive and say "Go Child live your life and live your dream! " Maybe we as a society are afraid to Say NO and are more willing to keep elderly purposely healthy yet dependent. I detest countries which make it a law to take care of your parents child's responsibility irrespective of whether parents have been abusive or not. In this Government should take an active role to encourage people to save for their future. More initiative should be taken. Just because elderly look vulnerable they aren't allowed to be lazy. As this is no longer just an issue in people's household but a very social and economic and which is affecting many countries including India. I am not sure how can corrupt Government can help?? I hope every parent stop expecting their child to take care of them when they get old. I hope child is bought in this world to be loved, to be cherished,to bring joy and maybe to satisfy nurturing needs of parents. Not as an investment for future ! If one needs an investment opportunity please look at Insurance Company or Property Investment Opportunity.
