By: Mathias Hangala
Many parents continue to struggle to make ends meet, despite having worked tirelessly to raise and educate children who are now earning decent incomes. That said, several parents somewhat expect to be supported during their retirement.
Sadly, some of these children show little interest in supporting their families.
To make matters worse, some even send their own children to be raised by the very parents they refuse to support, leaving elderly parents to stretch their small social grants to feed their grandchildren.
This raises an important question: Should we implement a “tax” system in law to compel such children to take responsibility for their parents?
A system which could be formalised into a legal obligation to incentivise non-supportive children to care for their ageing parents.
The answer is not straightforward.
On one hand, parents have a duty to educate, raise, and nurture their children.
They should not do so with the expectation of repayment – whether in cash or in kind. Parenting is a responsibility, not an investment.
Yet, many parents find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place when they seek support from their adult children, who would rather spend their time and money partying with friends.
The tragedy often unfolds when the party ends, the music stops, the money runs out, and reality hits.
Sometimes, poor decisions lead to illness or worse. When friends disappear, and life becomes difficult, these same children remember home. Only to face the pain of rejection and strained relationships they helped create.
If a tax obligation were to be considered, perhaps it could be structured in a way that offers mutual benefit. For example, requiring children who contribute to also invest in building a home or property for themselves.
That way, even when the party is over, they have a place to return to; a place they helped create.
Tax obligation remains a deeply complex question, intertwined with culture, economics, morality, and family values.
But one thing is certain: conversations about responsibility, across generations, are long overdue.
