Buổi 115: Writing Task 2 – Opinion: con cái có nên sống gần cha mẹ già?

As populations age, the question of who should care for elderly parents has become increasingly important. Some argue that adult children have a duty to live nearby so that they can provide this care. While I agree that children have a genuine responsibility towards their parents, I do not believe that living close by should be regarded as a duty in every case.

In the first place, there are clear advantages to living near ageing parents. Practical help with shopping, appointments and household tasks is much easier to provide in person, and in an emergency, such as a fall or sudden illness, a child who lives ten minutes away can respond far more quickly than one who lives in another city. Regular contact also offers emotional support, which may be just as important as practical assistance in preventing loneliness.

However, treating proximity as a universal duty ignores the circumstances in which many families live. Career opportunities are often concentrated in particular cities, and an adult child who refuses a job elsewhere may be less able to support their parents financially. Some people have caring responsibilities for their own children, while others may have relationships with their parents that are difficult or even harmful. Moreover, in some situations, professional care can meet an older person's medical needs better than a family member can.

This is not to say that families should simply leave care to others. More fundamentally, I would argue that the obligation is to ensure that parents are well supported, rather than to live in a particular place. That obligation can be met in different ways: through frequent visits, financial contributions, coordinating professional services, or, where it is possible and desired, moving closer.

In conclusion, although living near elderly parents brings real benefits, it should be seen as one way of fulfilling family responsibilities rather than as a duty that applies regardless of circumstances.

Hi Mai,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Unfortunately, the appointments are only available on Wednesday mornings, so Tuesday wouldn't solve the problem.

As a compromise, I could join the planning meeting by video from 9 to 10 and then come into the office for the rest of the day. I'd also send my updates the evening before, so nothing is held up.

Would that work for you?

Best, Ha