Opinion Series Part 1: Are Children Responsible for Their Aging Parents?

Happy Wednesday Hivers!

In the Philippines, I have observed that many Filipinos do not adequately prepare for retirement. They fail to allocate money or build financial security for their old age. In reality, as people grow older, health problems naturally arise. However, one of the most common mistakes is not preparing for this stage of life while there is still time.

Most Filipinos are not financially prepared for retirement, and when they grow old and become ill, it is often their children who shoulder the hospital bills and medication expenses. This has become a common reality in many families.

Are children responsible for their aging parents? This is my opinion.

We Filipinos are mostly raised to help those in need. When someone needs assistance, we are taught to extend help without hesitation. That is why, in difficult situations, it is not easy for us to simply say, “You’re on your own.” Instead, we do what we can whether through financial support, moral encouragement, or even small acts of service. We generally do not neglect our family.

We are not used to placing our elderly parents in nursing homes. Aside from the fact that it can be expensive, we prefer to take care of them ourselves so we can see them every day and personally look after their needs.

In our case, our parents are already growing old. They can no longer tolerate stress the way they used to even a small amount of stress can affect their health. We have no plans of placing them in a home for the aged. As long as they are here in this world, we will be the ones to care for them.

I do not necessarily believe that children are strictly obligated to carry the full responsibility of supporting their parents, especially since children also have their own lives to build. However, for us, turning our backs on our parents is simply not an option. For our family, serving and caring for them is our way of expressing love and gratitude.

At the end of the day, taking care of our parents is not just a duty, it is an act of love. Seeing them happy and healthy, and being there for them in their old age, is the most meaningful way we can give back for everything they have done for us. No matter how small or simple our help may be, it comes from the heart.

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

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