父母上了年纪后，儿女们会做些什么

17　父母上了年纪后，儿女们会做些什么?　What do children do when their parents get old?

Traditional family ties remain strong.The concept of“four generations live under the same roof”continues to strongly influence most people in China，who still refuse to have their parents spend the remaining years of their lives in special homes for the elderly.Sons and daughters believe it is an honour and a privilege to have their parents living with them，even in the confines of a crowded city apartment or a small village house.Among married couples，many are currently still living with one of the spouses'parents who help look after grandchildren and do housework.

Many young Chinese couples have only one child.Those one-child families have established closer relations between children and parents.Children also realize that one day they will be responsible to look after their parents.More and more of the elderly people living in the cities prefer living by themselves.The best situation is to have parents and their adult children live in the same neighbourhood.Ideally，the parents' residence is no farther than a half an hour by bus from where their children live.Young people often hire nurses or housekeepers to take care of their parents while they are fully occupied with their work.

Children in rural areas financially support and look after their parents and grandparents.When the elderly are in good health，they continue to work in fields，and their adult children join in them during the period of a busy season.When the elderly cease working in the fields，their children begin to take their place.Children guarantee their basic needs and give them some pocket money for their daily expenses.

Notes: 1)spouse 配偶 2)reside 居住