Parents

A Chinese law requiring family members to visit their elderly relatives went into effect to howls of online ridicule, as the country's huge population ages rapidly.  More than 14% of China population, or 194 million people, are aged over 60, according to the most recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The regulation "forces" children to visit their parents, the state-run Global Times newspaper said, with concerns growing over increasing numbers of "empty nest" homes. 

[The Star  2July2013]

The law was enacted amid rising concerns that China's rapid development has challenged its traditional extended family unit and created a spiralling number of 'empty nest' homes.
Reports of eldrly people being neglected or mistreated by their children have shocked the country.

It is indeed heart rending to know that for many ageing parents, their last stage of life passes by in loneliness, disappointment and the pain of being ostracised, while others celebrate with much joy and pleasure.  This scenario is not necessarily any indication of the parents' failure to raise, nurture and teach their children the importance of family values, togetherness and traditionals.

However, as the children grow up, they become more self-centred and materialistic, probably due to influence of today's society. Besides, the fear of losing freedom, privacy and comfort could explain why they choose not to care for their elderly parents at home or even visit them in villages or old folks home, including on special ocassions.

It is also important to remember that we too will grow old one day and what we do to our parents can very well happen to us.

Great emphasis is being placed on living longer and living better. Advances in medical science are making it possible for more and more people. Yet in spite of this, none of us can avoid growing old. One day aging will overtake all of us, and our bodies will shut down.

As we grow older, we can dwell on the failures and hardships of our past, or we can remember God's faithfulness, accept His discipline, and keep looking to the future in faith.

WE CANNOT AVOID GROWING OLD; BUT WE CAN AVOID GROWING COLD.