[quote]Phate89 wrote:
eric_lacrosse wrote:
Phate89 wrote:
This is one thing about American family culture I hate. The society revolves around each others individualism while other countries are more collective.
In America, you put your parents in a retirement home and ditch them
In other countries, your close to all your families and you take care of your parents when they are older.
They take care of you. Then you end up taking care of them.
I was going to ignore this post, but here’s what I think.
I am not sure where you are from, but nowhere in the world is perfect. I’ve been to several other countries, and each has it’s problems.
Yes Americans are more individualistic, but we don’t all “ditch” our parents in retirement homes. That was the reason for the post buddy. I am struggling with the decision in spite of years of mistreatment.
Unfortunately, in order to look after mom as she gets older I’d have to quit my job. Can’t do that, I need to work another 20 years or so.
Cheers!, ciao, au revoir, adios or whatever.
I didn’t say everyone did that, but a lot do.
Just pointing out the difference between American families and familes from the eastearn side of the world. [/quote]
Well, through your choice of words, you pretty much alluded to “all” Americans. To be fair and balanced, you should also note that many of the eastern cultures are in turmoil because of the fact that a man’s wife is supposed to be the caregiver for her aging in-laws. This is leading to many young women in those countries to eschew marriage, which is in turn, leading to declining populations. Japan is a primary example of this culture shift.
DB
It does happen in America, especially with the increasing cost of assisted living centers and nursing homes. Many people just can’t afford to have their parents in one of these places. But, there are plenty of people in America who modify their homes and schedules to accomodate an aging parent (I know more than a handful of people around where I live that do this). I just want to point that out. Maybe it’s a regional phenomenon, maybe not. You’re experience is your experience.
DB