Parental Obligations
Conclusion
As life expectancies increase families live together for many more decades than ever before. There are new problems and challenges that arise from a complex, highly technological, individualistic society. But there is also more time for families to enjoy each other's company, give mutual support, mend broken ties, and express love and gratitude. Within families the grandparent-adult child-grandchild relationship is unique. As more attention is focused on the ethics of family relationships, the moral obligations of older parents to help adult children rear grandchildren will be affirmed and appreciated. Many grandparents make sacrifices for their extended families and grandchildren; the nurturing influence of grandparents operates as a hidden force for human survival.
SIDNEY CALLAHAN
See also FILIAL OBLIGATIONS; GRANDPARENTHOOD; INTERGENERATIONAL EXCHANGES; INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE; PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BLUSTEIN, J. Parents and Children: The Ethics of the Family. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
CALLAHAN, S. Parents Forever: You and Your Adult Children. New York: Crossroad, 1996.
O'NEIL, O., and RUDDICK, W., eds. Having Children: Philosophical and Legal Reflections on Parenthood. New York: Oxford University Press, 1979.
Additional topics
Medicine EncyclopediaAging Healthy - Part 3Parental Obligations - An Argument Against Unlimited Support, An Argument For The Extended Moral Obligation To Adult Children And Grandchildren