The impact of changing value systems on social inclusion : an Asia-Pacific perspective

In Asia-Pacific societies, demographic change and rapid socio-economic development have been linked to a generalised decline in close family relationships, and especially the reciprocal family responsibilities known as filial piety. David Phillips and Kevin Cheng focus on population ageing on the one hand and on value systems, social norms and traditions within filial piety on the other. The chapter shows how traditional values are changing in the Asia-Pacific region and the degree to which such changes vary across societies, posing new risks of exclusion for some older people. In some settings, changing interpretations of filial piety have led to a growing acceptance that personal care no longer needs to be provided solely by family members, and that filial contributions can also be fulfilled by providing cash or access to services provided by non-kin. Elsewhere, quality of institutional care provision has become a key indicator of children's enduring filial commitment to ageing parents.