Of the 100 Chinese values, filial piety is the one of most significant in Chinese culture, says Chinese educationist Datuk Sim Mow Yu, who is a Buddhist and Confucianist.
In ancient times, Chinese emperors emphasised the importance of filial piety and even went down on their knees to pay respects to their departed elders. "Confucius, the sage of China, wrote a book on filial piety. He taught everyone to practice filial piety". They should be cautious and care for the elderly until they are old and gone. Even after their demise, they must remember them.
The Chinese instil the impotance of filial piety in their children from a very young age. That is why they are able to live together in harmony for generations. In the old days, the Chinese would never allow their parents to be taken care of by others. There were no old folks' home too during that time. In Eastern culture, children and grandchildren are relied upon to fulfil their obligations of looking after the elderly.
Changing times have also affected the way elderly parents are being treated. "With extended families, the grandchildren can spend time with their grandparents, and the family is more closely knit. There is more warmth in such house holds."
"If elderly parents are sent to old folks home, maybe due to changing times, or are unable to care for their elderly, because of their career or some how due to the Western influence which brought about a shift in cultural practice, they should not just pact them off to such centres and forget about them."
My mom always say, A mother can take care of her children no matter how many of them, yet the children no matter (1 or 10) cannot take care of their parents.
No comments:
Post a Comment