Where Did My Children Go?

The Chinese cultural system of filial piety has been extremely strong. The people of China follow the Confucian ideology that highly regards loyalty and complete devotion form children to parents. Children are expected to make sacrifices for their parents, and financial responsibilities are almost considered a given. These expectations were written down, with Confucius and his disciple as the main contributors. These examples of filial piety that had been children’s first textbook in China until the 20^th century basically talk about sacrifice and endless contributions. (Sartor, 2011).

However, in the present day, filial piety hasn’t been performed to its cultural standards, and I suspect that it’s due to the over-pressured single-childs having to support the expanding aging population. Parents in China nowadays have the right to sue their children if they feel neglected or mistreated (Chou, 2011).  Under the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly that came into effect July 1^st 2013, children can be liable for neglect and can be subject to being sued. Some laws include visiting parents often, be concerned about parents’ spiritual needs, and not ignoring or neglecting them (Hou, 2013). Filial piety can now be purchased. Entrepreneurs actually sell their services to regularly visit your parents. A 2-day service with videos to ensure visit quality costs about $250/day (Xi, 2013). I find it ironic how something that was a cultural value that’s ingrained in the society can turn into a duty that’s regulated by law. Many blame the one-child policy for this, what do you think?

  

Resource:

Zhan, H. (2013). Population Aging and Long-Term Care in China. Generations, 37(1), 53-58.

Hou, Jian Jun (2013). "China Sees First Violation of Filial Piety Law." All-China Women's Federation. Women of China,Web. 26 Sept. 2013.

Xi, Sun (2013). "Shopping for Filial Piety Online." All-China Women's Federation. Women of China,Web. 26 Sept. 2013.

Sartor, V. (2011). Filial Piety and Confucius. Beijing Review, 54(25), 48.

Chou, R. (2011). Filial Piety by Contract? The Emergence, Implementation, and Implications of the “Family Support Agreement” in China. Gerontologist, 51(1). 3-16.

Introduction to China’s Aging Population

China’s population structure is determined by a different method compared to other countries. Unlike other countries that have population aging due to changing fertility and mortality based on industrialization effects, (Moody, 2012) China went through a different route, which was the one-child policy. The one child policy, introduced in 1979, was created due to economic troubles facing the nation. Population was overflowing and the government needed to curb the numbers to ease poverty and famine. The policy basically gives each married couple in China a quota of having only 1 child. The policy that supported delayed marriage and childbearing slows down population growth. But, it has its negative effects that the nation must face today: the aging population. By 2030, one in every four people in China is going to be older than 60 (Wang, 2013). What are the implications of this? Here are some examples of issues surrounding Chinese elderlies and youngsters:

• 4-2-1 and its financial burden. An aging population basically means that majority of the population are aged or elderly people. A one-child generation has 2 parents (mother and father) and 4 grandparents (2 grandmothers and 2 grandfathers). This child grows up without having cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. This kid’s parents have to provide for him and his grandparents. When this kid turns into an adult, he and his wife will be responsible for his 2 parents and 4 grandparents, which is 6 people.  Soon enough they will have a child and the cycle continues (Jiang and Sanchez-Barricarte, 2011)
• The erosion of filial piety. Elderlies, due to fewer children (from a certain number to just 1) that can provide support, feel less cared for. (Liu, 2008)
• Economic problems facing elderlies. Poverty rate of elderlies in rural area is 65% (11% in urban areas). In general, 23% of elderlies in China live below poverty line. 57% of elderlies in rural area do not have pension.   (Wang, 2013)

There are many other issues surrounding China’s aging population. Most of them are results of the one-child policy as the root cause. Some are related to the issues above, and a lot of them are interconnected. This blog will explore and talk in detail about some of aging’s important and relevant issues.

Reference:

Zhan, H. (2013). Population Aging and Long-Term Care in China. Generations, 37(1), 53-58.

Jiang, Q., & Sánchez-Barricarte, J. (2011). The 4-2-1 family structure in China: a survival analysis based on life tables. European Journal Of Ageing,8(2), 119-127.

Wang, Jeanette (2013). "Legacy of One-child Policy Could Have Consequences for Elderly Welfare." South China Morning Post. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

Liu, Fenshu. (2008) Negotiating the filial self: Young-adult only-children and

intergenerational relationships in China. Young, 16(4). 409-430.