Source: OMF Global Chinese Ministries Newsletter, November 2013
One of China’s most admired traditions has been respecting parents and the close ties between family members. Many have thought that the way China cares for elderly parents has better exemplified biblical teaching on respecting one’s father and mother than the treatment often meted out to parents in the nominally Christian West. However, it seems this good tradition is fast disappearing.
Neglect of elderly parents has now become so common in China that the government has enacted a new law forcing children to regularly visit and care for their parents. “Family members who live apart from their parents should visit often or send their regards to their parents,” states the new Elderly Protection Law which came into force on July 1 this year. Anyone “neglecting the elderly” can now face court action.
Many Chinese churches have formal programs to honor their elderly members and give them financial aid. Many more help informally in myriad ways. They set an encouraging example in a society which has become increasingly unconcerned with the elderly.