It's time for the pillars of the family to be… taken care of.
Despite being over 60 years old, Mr. T. Thanh ( Hanoi ) remains a strong pillar of his family. Even though his children are grown and have their own families, he is always attentive to every detail of the household, big and small. From painting and repairing rooms, fixing electrical appliances, doing laundry, drying clothes, to taking his grandchildren to and from school, he does it all himself. In the eyes of his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is always the solid foundation of the family, supporting spiritual values, and preserving and connecting love. His continued success in fulfilling his role as the "family pillar" for so many years is something he is always proud of.
However, life is unpredictable, and everyone experiences moments of uncertainty in the face of storms. One day, Mr. T. Thanh noticed unusual symptoms in his body, including headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Initially, he simply thought it was due to fatigue and lack of sleep, so he tried to ignore it and continued with his daily work. That was until a high blood pressure attack struck, followed by a heart attack that sent him to the hospital for a whole month. His health deteriorated rapidly; from a healthy, agile man, he was now just a frail figure lying in a hospital bed.
As the family's breadwinner, this tragedy plunged Mr. T. Thanh into overwhelming anxiety. He tossed and turned every night, agonizing over hundreds of unanswered questions: Who would take over the household chores? Could he ever recover? And most importantly, how could he continue to be a source of emotional support for his wife, his two children, and his grandchildren? At that time, he felt lost in a labyrinth of despair, unsure how his family would manage now that the main pillar of the family had fallen.
However, contrary to his worries, his two children took over as the family's breadwinners. From small matters to big ones, they took turns meticulously caring for him, while also dedicating their time to attentively caring for him during his declining health. Only then did he understand that he wasn't the only one capable of protecting and supporting the family; his two children were now grown and capable of shouldering all responsibilities. Perhaps this maturity had existed for a long time, but he didn't want to relinquish the role of "family breadwinner," simply because caring for his family was his joy and happiness.
At that moment, for the first time, he allowed himself to be vulnerable, to lean on his loved ones, to be cared for and protected as he had cared for his own small family for so many years. Perhaps, the warm embrace of his extended family and the maturity of his children were the precious spiritual medicine that gave him the strength to overcome this difficult period. "Thanks to the care of my family, especially my two children, my health recovered quickly. That illness was like a wake-up call, making me appreciate my health and understand that it was time I needed to be cared for," Mr. T. Thanh shared.
The story of Mr. T. Thanh's family is not unique; it reflects the plight of countless other families. As the head of the household, many fathers strive to shoulder all the burdens, sometimes neglecting their age and health. But time doesn't allow them to hold that role forever. At a certain point, when their steps slow and their hands begin to tremble, they are forced to stop. At that time, the role is naturally transferred to their children, who were once toddlers sheltered by their father's protection, but are now strong enough to stand behind him, providing support for the very person who once nurtured them.
Population aging and the pressure on the younger generation.
From time immemorial, children caring for their elderly parents has always been considered natural, clearly reflecting our nation's tradition of "drinking water and remembering the source." In everyday life, it's easy to see images of children devotedly caring for their parents. However, behind these seemingly familiar images lies a reality that is far from simple.
Currently, Vietnam is experiencing rapid population aging, leading to significant challenges in caring for elderly parents. According to statistics, Vietnam began its population aging process in 2011 and is one of the fastest-aging countries in the world . By 2024, the number of people aged 60 and over is projected to reach 14.2 million. It is forecast that by 2030, this number will be approximately 18 million. Simultaneously, Vietnam's birth rate has also been declining rapidly in recent years, falling from 1.96 children per woman in 2023 to 1.91 children per woman in 2024 – the lowest level ever recorded.
The above figures show that the proportion of elderly people is increasing, while family sizes are shrinking, leaving today's younger generation to shoulder more responsibilities, both economically and in terms of family duties. Furthermore, young people are living in a challenging economic environment. The cost of living in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is rising, while unemployment is widespread, and the average income of many young people is insufficient to meet basic needs.
Faced with this difficult "problem," the majority of the younger generation feel exhausted from simultaneously worrying about living expenses, raising children, saving for the future, and fulfilling their responsibilities to their parents. They don't lack love, but sometimes they lack the time, energy, resources, and even the skills to care for the elderly.
It becomes even more difficult when the person being cared for is the father, who often shares fewer emotions and is not easily receptive to attention. Most fathers are anxious and afraid of becoming a "burden" to their children, especially when their children are busy with their own lives. Therefore, many fathers refuse help, not because they don't need it, but because they don't want to bother their children.
Given these challenges, caring for elderly parents is no longer just a family matter but has become a societal issue. From an individual perspective, children need to be equipped with the skills to care for their parents and learn how to balance their lives. From a community perspective, there is a need to enhance healthcare for the elderly so that they can live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
Over the years, the Party and State of Vietnam have consistently paid attention to the welfare of the elderly, both to acknowledge their role in national development and to reflect the Party's major policy. Policies on health insurance, healthcare for the elderly, monthly social allowances, and support for the elderly in cultural, educational, sports, recreational, and tourism activities, as well as public transportation, have had a strong impact on the lives of this group.
In particular, in the context of an aging population posing new challenges, the Prime Minister also issued Decision 383 dated February 21, 2025, approving the National Strategy on the Elderly until 2035, with a vision to 2045. Furthermore, social assistance policies are playing an increasingly important role in stabilizing and improving the quality of life for the elderly.
These policies clearly demonstrate the Party and State's concern for building a humane and just society, while also improving the lives of the elderly, especially those in difficult circumstances. However, this is only a part of the overall picture of caring for the elderly. More importantly, the role of children remains crucial; filial piety must be shown through care, support, and sharing in all aspects of life. The love and companionship from children not only bring joy and peace of mind to their parents but also help reduce the burden on the country's healthcare, social security, and welfare systems.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/cha-cung-can-duoc-cham-care-love-post551753.html
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