Good son fights for all neglected parents

The majority of us will face a day when our parents need extra help in their old age. Then some day, it will be our turn and our children will have to decide how much involvement they will have in our care. A Child should never find their parents a burden. We must not forget of all the sacrifices they when through to provide us with all the education, and taught us all the values that has made us who we are today.

I was really touched upon reading the article regarding, PAP Member of Parliament and NTUC FairPrice super-market chief Seah Kian Peng who takes care of his 81 year old father despite his tight schedule. Singapore’s government has come up with an act called Maintenance of Parents Act. The purpose of this Act is to provide Singapore residents aged 60 years old and above, who are unable to subsist on their own, to claim maintenance from their children who are capable of supporting him but are not doing so. Parents can sue their children for maintenance, in the form of monthly allowances or a lump-sum payment. The Act also establishes the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents to decide on applications made under the Act. I feel that it’s rather shameful that an act had to be organized in order for children to take care of their parents.

In my opinion, a child should not be forced upon taking care of their parents, it’s something that they should do willingly. Adult children should be responsible for caring for their parents. It's the right thing to do, and many times, it is a blessing in disguise. It is an opportunity to give back for all the parent has given you and it's a chance to resolve any issues before it's too late. Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their children. They have wishes too, the wishes they earlier put away to make us happy and to stand on our own.

Commented by: Vandana Devi

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