As parents age, questions about who should pay for their living costs, healthcare, housing, or other needs become increasingly important. In many families, supporting aging parents is seen as an expression of gratitude and reciprocity, while others argue that adults should not be expected to sacrifice their own financial independence for their parents. The debate also raises a broader question about where family responsibility ends and social responsibility begins. Should adult children be expected to step in when their parents cannot support themselves, or should elderly care primarily be the responsibility of individuals and public systems?