Culture is an amazing thing really. I am feeling a bit sad today for my friend who unloaded to me about the issues she is having with her mother and brothers. In her "culture" the children look after their parents, but a lot of pressure has been placed on her to provide extra because she is 'rich' (and they are no where near as comfortable as we are). So she is giving her mother large-ish sums of money, which she thinks her brothers are then taking. It's a very difficult situation and I feel so sorry for her because there isn't an easy answer.
We'd actually discussed the issue of caring for the elderly on the week-end. Basically our culture, in Australia, is that the elderly are looked after by the social security system. The system has developed over a large number of years, and it means that the most vulnerable people in society - the elderly, sick and children - are supported. I think this is fairer than having to rely on children, who may or may not be generous (I guess then it depends on how you raise them!). It also is better for those who don't have children (choice or not). It's not a perfect system. Of course there are going to be people who miss out, or who are disadvantaged by a peculiar rule or - and this is my annoyance - people who rort the system to get more than they are entitled to (and my response to them is that they should use their powers for good not evil!!!). But on the whole the system works.
I am so grateful for the social security system in this country - which over time was fought for by many different people. It's enough to make me want to read more about the history! Maybe that's something I can do in retirement!!
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