Culture
When was the last time you visited your parents? If you live in China, your lack of attention to your mother and father will soon become illegal. After a recent survey in China found that more than 33 percent of people visited their parents only once in the past year, Chinese lawmakers decided to introduce changes in the rights of older people in the country, by making it mandatory for children to visit their parents.
Such figures seem surprising in a country that is proud that elders are given special attention and respect here. The thing is that in recent years, due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, hundreds of millions of Chinese have left their homes in search of work. People say they just don't have enough time or vacation to go home more often. But China is aging fast, and by 2033, the country will have about 400 million elderly people in need of care.
Chinese people are already legally required to care for their elderly parents, but the new law prohibits family members from “neglecting and treating older people indifferently.” However, critics doubt how to monitor the implementation of the law.
Despite everything, 42 percent of the country's residents believe that such a law is a good idea, so everyone should remember their relatives and at least call them without delay.