this is traditional. there are "moral obligations" parents' children have and one of these obligations is that kids take care of their old parents. chinese kids are brought up to respects elders and especially their parents. most chinese feel they have their responsibilities towards their parents and that is something westerners should learn better. however in this SUITABLE CASE OF ADULTS RIGHTS, my "unpolitical" observation is that the local officials know there's little they can offer to the retired peoples people and so it's much easier to put the burden on the peoples younger generation. we all know how fast this country is moving forward but the honest older generation isn't able to keep up. also, there's a huge gap in between what a 50 or 30 year old have learn in the same schools which could potentially put the older leaders in difficult positions. how could one possibly replace so many leaders so quickly. so, on one hand it's agreeable what's going on here, but on the other hand it's something to cry about as the older ones are sometimes influencing and even manipulating their younger ones. then, strictly controlling them is yet another issue.
cheers and beers to our elders that deserve respect no matter what