China Elderly Care: A Confucian Legacy

Abstract

This paper explores the Confucian roots of elderly care expectations and how these expectations may influence the current state of the elderly and elderly care in modern China. This paper posits that the outdated expectations combined with recent urbanization trends has put unrealistic pressures on society to adequately care for a rapidly aging population. Until expectations are adjusted to reflect modern day families and realities, the elderly will continue to struggle with a sense of inadequate care, which can lead to mental health issues and feelings of isolation. Once the shackles of Confucian expectations are removed, families, governments and private institutions will have the freedom to be more creative in the way they imagine solutions for elderly care.