Elder Care and Aging Studies

BJT 08-17-2012 11:09

As China is seeing a steadily increasing number of elderly people living without a care-taker, authorities have issued a set of guidelines on filial piety, or the so-called “new 24 Filial Exemplars”.

While the original version is a collection of tales of obedient children dating from around the 14th century, the new list is said to be much more up to date and practical, including things such as teaching senior parents how to surf the internet. Continue reading →

Alexander Besant August 16, 2012 16:34

It is now imperative that you teach your parents how to use the internet say Chinese authorities.

This, along with other guidelines for respectful children are featured in the updated filial piety manual dating back to the Yuan dynasty in the 14th century.

The manual was originally written by the scholar Guo Jujing who collected tales of obedient children.

They were printed for centuries until being banned by the Communist party for being “backwards,” reported the Guardian.

Yet, with the advent of information age exigencies, the standards are back.

The original 24 Filial Exemplars have been updated by the All China Women’s Federation and the China National Committee on Ageing to meet the demands of modern life.

Indeed, some of the new standards include listening to their parents’ blather about the good ol’ days, taking them to see romantic comedies, and supporting their extracurricular pursuits.

In what may prove to be a deal-breaker, the new morality text urges children to call their parents at least once per week to let them know you love them, said China Daily.

Oh, and spend more time with parents during holidays!

More prosaic new measures include making sure their health insurance is up to date and taking them for medical appointments.

“The essence of the new guidance has not changed. The spirit of being filial is part of our culture. We’ve just added the features of modern society,” a person behind the new effort told the Guardian.

The original guidelines differed just slightly, reported the Telegraph:

Save your parent from a hungry tiger featured prominently.

As did feeling your parents’ pain and tasting your parents’ soups and medicines for quality.

Some things never change.