Different cultures have different ways of looking at it.
Conservative cultures, especially ones that view the purpose of life is to settle down and have kids, are often the ones that expect parents to be looked after by their children in old age. I have come across a number of people who say 'but you must have kids because they are a financial security' or 'who else will look after you in your old age' etc.
The reasoning is that you spend and sacrifice for your kids in their youth, and then after retirement they do the same for you.
In a way, this makes some sense if you come from a poor or under-developed country. Such places rarely have any form of social security or national healthcare system, so as an elderly person there isn't a lot of support and medical bills can drain your life savings. Therefore you need to rely on your close relatives to help you out, and children are best placed to do this since the blood ties are closest.
On the other hand, countries will a well developed healthcare system, national and private pension, infrastructure etc tend to move to the other end of the spectrum. People like to be independent and don't necessarily view themselves as 'old' just because they are retired. Children are a phase in your life - once they reach adulthood, it's up to them to look after themselves, and you get on with your life.
Regardless of where you live and what you believe though, most people would agree that if your parents are seriously ill, crippled, housebound etc, we have an urge and a sense of duty to help them out in some way. Most people will pay for their treatment, and some might even have the aged parent move in with them to make it easier to look after them etc.
Some people view it as mandatory - you have to help your parents no matter what.
For me, it is a grey area. It depends a lot on your relationship with them and I believe that rather than force people to help their parents, things are better off if they have a choice. If you have done your best to be a good parent and cultivate a healthy relationship with your kids, then I don't see why they would hesitate to help you out (unless they were themselves in financial difficulty). Even if they can't always help you out financially, they will still be motivated to visit you, help you do your grocery shopping etc. It is a lot easier to do these things when you genuinely love and care about someone instead of going through the motions out of a sense of duty/fear/emotional blackmail.
I think if parents can afford to save for their retirement, then they should be encouraged to do so. I've always discouraged my parents from pointless spending. My mum went through a phase of wanting to accumulate all sorts of gold jewellery for me (presumably as a form of dowry
) but I've hated such things from childhood and always told her not to buy it or keep it for herself. I think in recent years she has managed to sell some of it and use the money for her expenses.
Breaking such mindsets can be difficult though. If your parents are reasonably well off but still think they are entitled to being looked after, I'm not sure how to handle that - other than maybe being brutally honest with them, especially if you are struggling to make ends meet. Most parents I have come across don't like the thought of being a burden to their kids and will rely on their savings for as long as they can, but I'm sure this is not always the case in many parts of the world.
/end rambling
Topic: Obligations to parents?