Modern American culture is selfish, short-sighted and irresponsible. Human beings are weak and needy creatures, and responsible society anticipates what will be needed and builds the solutions into its operations.
For example, our parents will become old and weak at a time in our lives when we are most busy. An irresponsible person will make no preparation for that time of life, but will either (a) plan to handle it himself or (b) try to ignore it. In reality, he will not be able to handle it himself, but will make excuses when the time comes, leaving his parents without help. Worse, he will attempt to ignore his parents’ needs as if they are responsible to care for themselves in old age.
At the same time, responsible parents, knowing they may be left without help in old age, will make preparations for that time of life, as far as they are able.
The reality is that we may not be able to help our parents as much as we would wish to, and we should have means ready for doing so. For example, I cannot clean my parents’ house, do their laundry or prepare their meals, but I can hire help to do so. To hire this help, I will need to have the money ready to do so, and can provide that money by focusing on my professional work instead of trying to be the helper.
This is one example. Life is very complex and the needs are and will be many. All must be prepared for.
WCM
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