China Channels The Ramones, Creates "Be Nice to Mommy" Law
The AP reports that a new law in China mandates that middle-aged children must visit their elderly parents "often."
If the kids don't, they are open to being sued by the parents:
The amendment does not specify how frequently such visits should occur.
State media say the new clause will allow elderly parents who feel neglected by their children to take them to court. The move comes as reports abound of elderly parents being abandoned or ignored by their children.
As in the U.S., legislation follows media circuses:
Earlier this month, state media reported that a grandmother in her 90s in the prosperous eastern province of Jiangsu had been forced by her son to live in a pig pen for two years. News outlets frequently carry stories about other parents being abused or neglected, or of children seeking control of their elderly parents' assets without their knowledge.
The issues are exacerbated by the fact that China both has a terrible safety net provided by the government (no surprise there, really, as relatively poor countries are known for such things) and its private pension system has barely gotten started (thanks to glorious people's revolution).
But surely forcing kids to visit their parents is a no-win situation for everyone but dads in Harry Chapin songs.
The Ramones connection to all this? While there never needs to be a connection to invoke Johnny, Joey, et al., I refer you to "Commando" and its second rule for better living:
