Where I am from, in the past, children have always been expected to take care of their parents. There is no question about that. That is how it has always been. Until recent developments of retirement plans Even at that, you are still expected to contribute to your parents' welfare at their old age. Because, why else are you there?
You are like an investment for your parents. They birth you into life, take care of you while you're young, and send you to school so you can become something in the future. And when you become great, you will in turn take care of them in their old age, just as they are currently taking care of their own parents.
Before the time of retirement plans, 401Ks, pension funds, and all sorts. That is how it has always been: you take care of your parents when they can no longer work for themselves, and they have you. Not like it is the only reason you were born, but it is just human nature.
Now, with retirement plans here and there and the changing world, we are expected to plan for our old age and not place that burden on anyone, because it is not an easy one to carry.
On the child's part, it is only right to show gratitude to those who contributed to making you who you are, especially your parents. They might not have had a master plan for their retirement, but they groomed what is more than a retirement plan—you.
It is not an easy burden to carry, but when you think about it in this way, you will realize it is not a burden but a joy that you are able to show love to those who have shown you unconditional love all your life. Lol, your love is even going to be a conditional love because they've proven their love for you, and you have something as a reference as a reason for why you are taking care of them.
I strongly believe in and support taking care of your parents. If you know how much pain and sacrifice it takes to bring up a child, you won't be bothered by whether it is fair or not; you will be more concerned about showing appreciation and gratitude.
Especially when you have a child of your own and you are taking care of them. Though no one sent them to bring you to this world, but you can't be so insensitive; you are already here, and you might still get here someway or another, and it is not a curse but a blessing when you carry the right mindset.
For me, I don't plan on saddling my children with the responsibility of taking care of me in my old age. I am super conscious of it, and I take steps towards planning for my retirement where necessary. Sometimes parents might not be fortunate, and it might not work out as planned. That is not their fault, but where they found themselves. It is only fair to have children you can fall on in such cases.
No man is an island, no matter how much you hope and work to be so. We require one another.
In conclusion, it is how it has been; I don't agree that it is how it is meant to be. You can't have children and call them investments. Yes, they are God's gift from God, but not a retirement plan. Get yourself a retirement plan.
Children make us happy. Imagine a world without cute little children. I don't want to live in such a world. From their birth, you reap the benefits of their presence, so don't say they are your retirement plan.
As a child, you should be grateful to have been given wonderful parents who have contributed massively to what you've become. If it comes to taking care of your parents at their old age, it should be a thing of joy, not a burden.
Imagine you growing up to your old age, and your children are not around to support you when you need them in anyway. Or have you seen how difficult life is for those without parents? You won't pray to be in their position in anyway. So appreciate what you have been given.
Thank you for reading, guyss.
Cheers 🥂