by Carlson Montour

Created on: October 29, 2009

"Conduct based on moral or legal obligation, or a sense of propriety" is one of Webster's definitions of the word duty. One's obligation to their parents, at least for now, is not a legal obligation. Is it a moral obligation?

If there were an easy answer to this question, there would be no need to ask it. As our society evolves, this issue of one's obligations to elderly parents will be raised more frequently. A number of today's elderly citizen's live comfortably on pensions received from long-term employment with one company. For example, steelworkers and autoworkers were unionized and negotiated relatively lucrative retirement plans. However, baby boomers that are approaching retirement now are somewhat less likely to be taken care of by their employers. Their offspring are even less likely to have employer-sponsored retirement and pension plans. One can assume that, because of medical advances and a focus on healthy lifestyles, people will tend to live longer. A longer life expectancy paired with less money may result in a drastic increase in the number of elderly outliving their money supply.

Looking at the big picture, this can be seen as a societal problem. From this perspective the problem seems overwhelming. But if you break it down, it is first a family problem and families are morally obligated to solve it within their family.

The family is the foundation that our society is built upon. It is where we learn right from wrong, gain a sense of belonging, and develop character traits that enable us to function as contributing members of the social groups to which we belong

Most parents spend long years sacrificing in order to provide their children shelter, food, a nurturing environment, and the other basics of life. They do this with no expectation of being rewarded or repaid by their children. Their payment comes from the satisfaction of seeing their dedication to their kids result in them becoming successful, compassionate, and responsible adults. Many parents would measure the success of their offspring in terms of their financial status, country club memberships, or ownership of the most expensive vehicles. They are more likely to brag about how their son is such a dedicated father and husband or what a loving and devoted mother and wife their daughter is.

The life of an individual follows a pathway of developmental stages that require new demands and obstacles to overcome. Similarly, a family goes through stages of change as each generation moves

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