| As a society, we have socialized many of these things, and focused responsibility on the upcoming generation. Instead of having a legally buttressed obligation to support one's parents, one has an obligation towards one's children, or minor relations in the event of their parents' demise. I do not know the historical evolution of the law in such matters, but I would not be surprised if, at one time, one was obligated to take in an ailing or indigent parent. It certainly was common practice. Of course, before clan structures began to deteriorate, the elder or elders of the clan had enormous power over its members, and young men were expected to fight for it, for example, in feuds with other clans, or be ostracized. |
