Do you think it is a obligation to support our parents?

@lixiaos77 (1030)
Shijiazhuang, China
September 20, 2008 5:45am CST
My mother is ill these days. Although it is not serious, I worry about her very much. From I was a kid, my mother has been doing all her could to fill my needs and I wonder if I have done anything to thank her. Mother never ask me to do any thing for her and she is always ready to help me. I am now busy with my study and I hope I will find a good job to support her and father after I graduate. Mother's illness remind me of all the love she gives me and I believe it is my obligation to support her.
5 people like this
28 responses
@annjilena (5618)
• United States
21 Sep 08
she is your family she cared for you when you was in need return the favor it,s not that you are abligated but that you love her and should want to care for her, you will never have another mother god will bless you if you take care of your mother especially because she is ill.consider your mom as being your own and we care for our own
1 person likes this
• Japan
20 Sep 08
My dearest friend, shall we call it an obligation? Is it not our prime purpose our life to take care of those who have given life to us? I feel it is a must. I know many people may forget due to their busy life to care their parents. It happens, but later they will repent. Take care of your mother with love as much as you can. You won't get any other moment to support her like she had done to you. How much care they might have taken to bring us to this stage? I do realize it when I take care of my kids. Happy myLotting!
@katkat (2378)
• Philippines
25 Sep 08
I don’t think it is an obligation. It is more of love that we support our parents when they get old as they have take care of us when were little. Lots of people thinks of it as an obligation that they have to do, it might be an obligation but you have put love on it and not just doing the obligation.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Sep 08
lixiaos hi yes I also think its your duty to support your parents who were always there to help you and get you educated so now you will be able to get a good job and help your parents 'as they get older. I am ashamed that a lot of Americans do not think this way and care for their parents as their parents age. Their parents cared for them and put them through school so now its their time to be cared for.
• United Kingdom
21 Sep 08
I think that as children we are given the love and support by our parents, we are nurtured and our needs are taken care of. On becoming adults I think that if our parents fall ill, then yes it's definitely right to support them in their hour of need. There may be unpleasant things that need to be done whilst caring for your family but love overcomes all of this. I've got no understanding of what this would be like though. My parents passed away many years ago. I'm sure that it must be very difficult at times to look after your parents when they are ill. Andrew
• Brunei Darussalam
21 Sep 08
ofcourse we should support our parents. From the first day we are born to this world, it is their responsibility to raise us until we are mature enough to take care of ourselves. i am married now with four kids. still my parents takes care of me and my family. they say they never want me to repay them for all their givings to me. all they want is just our relations to be as close as ever. somehow i feel i am blessed to have such a wonderful parents. yes we should suppot our parents like what they did to us when we are helpless.
@natash121 (219)
• Australia
21 Sep 08
I am very much among the minority here, but I do not think that we have an abligation to care for out parents financially or physically when they are older. I have seen many sides , my grandmother in law, relies on her kids to do alomst everthing for her, even though they all work and have they re own kids and grandkids to look after. i think it is selfish. We do not have children in order for them to take care of us when we are old. Now dont start throwing insults at me , I am very grateful for my parents for all they did for me when i was younger, and of course if they were in need on a little money here and there I would help out. I would nt put my kids in day care to work though to support them. This is hy we have nursing homes.
@elsoft12 (1821)
• India
21 Sep 08
Its not an obligation...just love them...They have showered so much on you with out expecting something in return..Thats true love.Its something truely remarkable....I dont have words to describe it..I can just say "Pure" Love. So..you keep aside all the responsiblity or obligation and just give them "pure" love.Thats as good as you can do and I wish your mother recovers soon.Do share with us the news...We will be happy for you. Take care.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
20 Sep 08
If parents really need the support and you are able then sure. I think that most parents should not depend on their kids to take care of them. They should plan for their older years as they are going through life. It is difficult to have to take care of someone else when you are raising your own family, however, we can not turn our backs on the people who raised us and gave so much to us. We need to help our parents when we can. Hopefully they will have planned their own lives well so we don't have to fully support them, but we should be there for what they need us for.
• United States
20 Sep 08
I don't think it is an obligation but a responsibility as you are her son and she is at the state of helplessness. We always want to pay our parents for their love to us, if you say obligation it's kinda sound like it's forced to... I hope u get what i mean. I wish for your mom to be well soon! God bless!
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Sep 08
yeah and we call it payback time
• India
20 Sep 08
Yes you are absolutely correct.
@heaven11 (1159)
• United States
21 Sep 08
although i do believe it is the right thing to do i do not believe its our obligation.even thoug our parents never ask for anything in return the hope the raised us to help them if they need it
• United States
20 Sep 08
I can understand both sides of the argument. Me personally, it's my dream to be able to retire my parents and give them the things that they want. On the other hand, there are people whose parents were never there for them, never actually parented them, or treated them like dirt. Who wants to take care of someone who makes your life hell? So, I think it depends on the child's relationship with their parent(s).
@trixyteddy (1070)
• India
20 Sep 08
Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Serious or not, we should take care of our parents out of love, not out of an obligation or duty. Obligation is something else. Our parents loved us, but have not demanded anything from us (with a few exceptional parents). We've got to love them, by which everything else follows.
• Philippines
20 Sep 08
It is not really an obligation but it is our responsibility to take care of them. It is way of saying thank you for all the support they have been giving us. No one can turn their back to their parents especially if they need one likewise out parents never turned their back on us either. I guess or i believe that if you could support them then go ahead .
@pam210 (344)
• United States
20 Sep 08
Not only do I think it is my responsibility to take care of my parents when they no longer take care of themselves but I also owe them the respect to pay attention to them now. My parents are both 70 and in very good health and I have made it known to my husband and my children that basically whatever my parents want I will do. If they want us to come over for dinner or spend a holiday with them I will do it. The reality of it is I proabably only have 10 or less good years with my parents in good health and able to be active. I want them to spend as much time with their kids and grandkids as possible. They are great parents and grandparents and I want all of us to cherish this time together and to continue to make great memories.
• Philippines
20 Sep 08
NO it is not our OBLIGATION to support our parents BUT it is our willingness to help them or support them during their retiring age.There's a big difference between OBLIGATION and WILLINGNESS TO HELP. As a parent, i have an obligation to my children but i'm not obliging my kids to help or support me when im already old.i don't want to become a burden to my kids when i'm already gray... This reflects and manifests how a child was raised up by his parents, just like you it seems you've been raised up accordingly with love and care that's why you treasure and give credit to what your mom has provided you and gave you. Good child :)
@SunnyV (13)
• United States
20 Sep 08
Hi, I think think it is an obligation for us to care for our parents when they can no longer care for themselves. Think of all the nights they sat up with us when we had fevers. Although they may not ask us for help sometimes; it is up to us to step in and take control, but with a clear heart. It shouldn't be a burden. Our kids may have to care for us when become older. I wish you luck, hope your mother will get better.
@ellovire (409)
20 Sep 08
Yes I believe it is our obligation. They deserve it. Even if they do not need it, say financialy, it's always nice give something that reminds them how much we love them and how grateful we are for raising us to be and who are right now. Gift them a travel package, all expenses paid. Or give them a membership to their favorite spa. Little things count. Right now, even if my parents do not need it, i have a different personal savings alloted just for them. They do not have any idea about it. I am confident that when time comes that they are financially in need, I have something to give them.