It's an interesting divide in mentalities. I know plenty of migrants / expats (South East Asians, South Asian) living in Korea or Japan who matter-of-factly send money back home. Me, it's the opposite: every time we talk my parents and grandparents make a point to remind me that if I ever need (or want) money they will send me some! Which I have always turned down because, hell, I want to be responsible for my own potential financial ♥♥♥♥-ups.
I am not at all against the idea of helping financially my parents or grandparents, or moving back closer to them at some point to offer in-person help. But I have to admit that I come first. Also, they would feel ashamed if I were to support them too much, or if I were to sacrifice for them.
I think the Western mentality is definitely that older generations should be better off than their offsprings for their entire life, and shouldn't put themselves in a position where they would impose on their children. (Dimitri's post is a perfect illustration: old people are poor or unhealthy? They can only blame themselves). Any deviation is shameful, much in the same way that my friend's students would feel profoundly ashamed if they couldn't provide 24 hours a day to their old parents.
|