Past GT essay - Children have the responsibility to take care of their older family members, but some people say that old people should not need to live with their families. What is your opinion?

It is a highly debatable issue whether old people should live with family or old-age homes. This is a very important issue because demographic trends suggest that we are part of a graying society in which the population of the elderly is growing by leaps and bounds. Although, it is the moral responsibility of children to look after their elderly, I have strong arguments to suggest that they should live separately.

Aged people should live separate because this will give them a feeling of independence. Moreover, by doing so, they will command more respect in the eyes of their children. It is irrefutable that relationships become strong and meaningful when people are not under the same roof. Hence, if aged people are away from their children physically, both will be closer to each other emotionally.

What is more, the mushroom growth of old age homes is ample evidence that they are a boon for the society. They give the opportunity to the elderly to be in the comfort of people of similar age and experience. They also remain healthy with timely day-to-day activities. In such homes, the elderly also get a chance to do some social service activities which in turn help the society.

Furthermore, the culture of the old age homes tends to refine some attitudes of the aged such as short temper and negative thinking. Old age homes are also a boon for those elderly who face social isolation in their own homes where their so-called loved ones neglect them badly and have no time for them.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, the elderly should live with people of their own age group, in old age homes, where they enjoy the retired period of their life nicely, comfortably and productively