Two old couples were cashing up ahead of us at the Wal-Mart. They were so old that they looked uncomfortable with both breathing and walking. It took them a lot of time to put their shopping items on cash desk. We could not remain indifferent to them who were struggling with their shopping items, and my husband helped them to put all of them on the counter. They kept talking to us they appreciated our favor.
All of a sudden, I realized that many elderly people in the United States are shopping on their owns. They live alone? Nobody does not care for them everyday? Searching my memory, I saw many old people living with just his/her spouse. Don't they care for their parents either living together or living nearby to them?
Most of Korean old people are so far looked after by their sons and daughters. We take it for granted that children should wait on their parents when their parents are ill, sick, or unwell. Otherwise, they were cracked down on undutifulness. Koreans have been taught to attend on parents from old times. Time changes quickly, but our general thinking is not easily changed.
Since giving attention to parents is really tough and painful, it is like fulfillment of duty, rather than filial devotion from the bottom of hearts. Some family breaks down because husband and wife disagree with their responsibility of supporting their parents. They tried to pass the buck to other siblings to be released from the duty. It is tragic, yet it takes place a lot in our society.
Then, how do they do with old parents? I am wondering.
1 comment:
님.. 잘 있지요?
대학원 가는 건 어찌 됐나요?
음....한가지 님께 상담하나 해도 될까요?
울 친구가 필리핀에서 유학원을 한답니다.
근데...여름 방학 때 이제 초등 2학년인 울 딸내밀 보내라는군요. 겨우 알파벳정도 쓸 줄 아는 아이라....3주 프로그램엘 보낸다고 무슨 효과가 있을지 의문도 되고 ....경비도 그렇고....물론 내가 알아서 결정해야 하는 거지만....님도 애들이 어리고 거기도 학교도 다니고 있고 해서 한번 물어 보고 싶네요. 여행삼아 보낸다고 해도 그 멀리까지....혹 무슨 일이라도 생기면..어쩌나 하는 생각도 들구요....
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