Ancestor Worship Fading Fast

Meddle with the birth rate and the upturning of aeons of cultural and social heritage in respect for the aged and care of one's parents and it all becomes transformed into a national problem of social failure.  In a tradition where the object was to produce many children so that they might, in their parents' old age combine their resources to the upkeep of the elderly, what happens when a one-child policy upsets the balance of that culture?



The single child in the family is pandered to, its every whim satisfied and the child has a sense of entitlement, and along with it, no sense of responsibility for the very people who gave him life, responded to his nurturing needs, and in their turn would require emotional and material support at a time in life when their practical usefulness to society has dissipated into a condition of need.

The State, which made a concerted effort through the decision to control population size in a country representing the most populous on Earth, fearing it would have insufficient natural resources to feed and shelter more than it could handle, now is faced with a dwindling workforce, an unnatural disproportion between the genders, and a teeming elderly population requiring care.

In instituting the one-child rule, people were forced to comply or face penalties, and the country has ended up with the living fact that many families chose not to nurture female babies (practising gender selection and infanticide), and to raise male heirs instead.  Creating a significant demographic of single men, a large pool of men anxious to find a wife among whom fewer women could pick and choose to ensure maximum benefit for themselves.

The entire apparatus of state birth control and population-centric laws that ensured a more gradual birthrate, also produced fewer workers.  But in such an immense population there are still plenty of people seeking employment and earnings, compelling them to leave their farms and villages (where a relaxation of the one-child rule allowing two children existed) to find employment in the cities.

Separated from their villages, from the local customs and covenants, struggling to find a life for themselves in the competitive stress and anonymity of big city life and employment, the needs of parents left behind (often with grandchildren left in their care) became less top of mind.  The traditional extended family unit in Chinese society has been irreparably disrupted.

Elderly parents' needs and welfare are now being neglected; left to their own devices many elderly cannot cope, many others are suffering abuse at the hands of their children forcing them to live in substandard conditions.  In other instances the incidence of children attempting to manipulate elderly parents into surrendering their possessions to their children.

And the Chinese state is left to pick up the pieces in caring for its rapidly growing elderly population.  In a country for which state institutions geared to the care of the elderly is simply not a priority, nor a visible presence, nor do there appear to be plans to create a state infrastructure geared to care of the frail elderly. 

Which made it mandatory that something be done rather than completely abandon all those aged Chinese to an ungentle fate. National legislation now makes it unlawful for children to ignore the needs of their parents.  They must, furthermore make certain to visit their aged parents "often".  For elderly parents now have the right under law if they feel neglected to sue their children.

Not a very elegant solution to a distinctly unpleasant human problem.