Who are we responsible to?

Our parents? Or community? Ourselves?

Different cultures have different answers. One compelling heuristic comes to mind: if they are dependent on you — not by choice but by circumstance you created — you are responsible to them.

Children are the most obvious example — you have a child, you are responsible for rearing them. Business deals also come to mind — if you make an agreement to another party, you are responsible for fulfilling that agreement. When you commit to someone, you are responsible to them.

What about when our parents grow old? Are we responsible for their care?

I struggle with that one — on the one hand, it feels very compelling. On the other, it can be an overwhelming burden to care for a parent who has not handled their finances to prepare for old age. Medical bills, time of care, the many unexpected expenses of time and money accelerate into old age.