Gerakan views disturbingly the widespread and severe occurrence of children abandoning their parents at government hospitals as an indicator of more serious fundamental problems plaguing our nation and its society.

“The causes of this occurrence are very much related to the environment we live in as it influences the way we think and how we do things,” said Gerakan Wanita Deputy Chief Ng Siew Lai.

Ng said, “It is easy to point out that many children are abandoning their parents and have relieved themselves of their responsibilities due to ignorance of traditional customs and moral values. However this is only telling one side of the coin.”

She added, “NGOs and community based groups can help by promoting moral values and spreading awareness on the duties of being a compassionate and grateful individual. Simultaneously we have to change the way we think in the economic sphere. It is not only about material and physical wealth but also our capability to provide for others. ‘We’ here does not only mean individuals, but also the government.”

“The government for instance must strive to have an economic security system or a social welfare system, one that is not only feasible but must be implemented with conviction.”

“Medical aids, free housing, and public transport benefits must be given and made accessible to the older citizens of society.”

“We should also not use laws to compel children to take care of their aged parents. Mere compulsion will not help as they are only doing it because they have to, and not because they want to because it is the right thing to do. We have to persuade individuals to do the right thing,” she said.

“We must ensure that all this is done and executed before we blame the children. If we want a society that is compassionate we have to create an environment that allows compassionate individuals to be born,” Ng noted.