Friday, October 22, 2010

ROTTEN PARENTS, TAKE HEED

Straits Times 18 Oct 2010

Under the proposed changes to the Maintenance of Parents Act (Singapore), adult children may not be legally obliged to support their aged parents if they are undeserving of the support.

Let's admit it. Not all parents are role model material. Every so often we read about parents who are violent and abusive to their children. There are those who gamble away money meant for the children's education, or in divorce cases, have defaulted on payments for child support. And what about those who abandon their families only to return years later to seek shelter, support and forgiveness

One of the proposals is compulsory mediation between the two parties to resolve any grievances they have before taking the matter up to the Tribunal.

Children who grow up never knowing what it is like to be loved and cared for by their parents cannot be expected to show love when there is none. If compelled by law to provide financial assistance to their aged parents, they will do so but with resentment.

A case of 'as you sow, so shall you reap'? Or is 'blood thicker than water'? Will the children find it in their hearts to forgive their ageing parents, especially now that they are frail and ill?

"My Family Tree" taken from the scrap-book that my 7-year old granddaughter and I put together for the BOND Intergenerational Project organized by WINGS. (Click on image to enlarge.)

No comments: