In the USA, retirement homes are growing in popularity. When they are unable to live independently, many elderly people are either placed in these institutions by their families or choose to live there themselves. In the nation, this pattern has taken on a life of its own. Parents frequently put their children's wants and wishes ahead of their own. Instead of spending the money on new clothes, they use it to meet their kids' needs. They put their kids' well-being ahead of their own travels and buddy outings.
Considering these sacrifices, why don't kids give back by looking after their parents when they are older and need help? When parents are unable to live alone, why don't more kids help out financially or move in with them?
This is both a natural exchange and a moral obligation.
Why retirement homes became popular in the USA
In the USA, retirement houses are becoming more and more popular for a variety of reasons. The senior living market is expected to be worth USD 112.93 billion in 2024 and is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.86% to reach USD 150.42 billion by 2029. The aging population, especially baby boomers, is a major factor driving this expansion; over 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, and the over-80 population is predicted to increase by 50% over the next ten years.
This trend has been further fueled by the move away from traditional caregiving and toward wellness-focused communities. With the addition of fitness centers, dietary plans, mental health services, and social activities, these communities now place a strong emphasis on holistic well-being, greatly enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens.
Senior home occupancy rates are at an all-time high; assisted and independent living facilities have seen notable increases in occupants. Cities like Houston and Atlanta have lower occupancy rates, while San Francisco, Portland, and San Jose have higher rates.
Retirement homes in different cultures
In numerous societies, including those in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, it is usual for children to take care of their parents when they pass away or become too old to do so. It is believed that caring for one's children while they are young and caring for one's parents when they are elderly is a fundamental aspect of the human condition. The notion of a natural "exchange" and moral obligation are attached to this reciprocal interaction.
Philosophy: What's the good choice?
Certain Western moral philosophers, such as Norman Daniels and Jane English, maintain that adult children are under no moral need to provide for their elderly parents beyond what is required of any other member of the community, regardless of the sacrifices their parents made for them or the suffering they are currently going through. This is because children do not choose to be born or adopted.
Thus, the traditional filial obligation to assist and care for the elderly is left as either the elderly's private responsibility or a societal burden on the general public.
I disagree with this perception.
If you agree with these two philosophers, it means that you agree that our parents had the right to put us in an orphanage after we were born and let the state take care of us, because it's not their obligation. Maybe they didn't want to have children and found out too late.
On the other hand, Confucius has a different point of view.
According to Confucius, being a good citizen and a moral person's cardinal virtue is taking good care of one's parents. Because of this, Mencius, the second most significant figure in Confucianism, stated that in a good society, a son and a younger brother should be taught the importance of caring for their elderly parents. It is not appropriate to observe those with gray hairs carrying loads down the street. If not, the government and the children of those elderly people would be embarrassed.
The Chinese Marriage Law states that adult children have a moral need to treat their elderly parents with respect. This obligation is described as follows:
Children must help and encourage their parents. Parents who are unable to work or are struggling to make ends meet may legally require their children to pay alimony when the child fails to fulfill this obligation.
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