Yeah it sounds absurd, right? It's a law in China now. Gave a total WTF reaction when I heard it over NPR on my car ride this morning.

CNN covered the same story here:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/02/world/asia/china-elderly-law/index.html

It's cases like this where I'm damn glad I live in the United States where we may bitch a lot about our freedoms being compromised, but they in no way compare to situations in China. I mean if conservatives are claiming the government interfering too much into our personal lives, and asking us to do things we don't necessarily want to do, is it really as intrusive as something like this? It's basically taking away all context of your relationships in your parents (or children) and imposing a law on the family. The only thing remotely comparable I can think of are child support policies which places the obligation of financial support on a parent so they become a "dead-beat-dad". (or "dead-beat-mom" I suppose). But when they bring in the other aspects to it, that you're also responsible for your elderly parent's social welfare and that you have to try to live close to them if possible, I could just imagine tons of people responding to that type of question with a flat out "No".

A few of my close friends come to mind. Not everybody grew up in a puppies and rainbow childhood. Some kids were raised by verbally and physically abusive parents. What does your law make of that, China? If a parent is so hated by the parents that there's good reason for the children not to see them, forcing a visit by law really help things. I can think of such a conversation right now. "Hey Pops. Here's your money for food and lodging for a year. Go fuck yourself. Peace out." Just who in the hell do they think this law is suppose to target anyway? People who have fine relations with their parents are going to see and care for them already. The people who don't chose not to for a reason.

On a side note, I do admire that the Chinese culture in general places great care of elderly in general. I just don't feel it needs to be a law. Let people are naturally do good things. Caring for someone is has meaning if it's done out of free will.
I'll leave you guys with a nice heartfelt video of one of my favorite Jacky Cheung songs, that's sort of a tribute to dads and parents.