Have you ever heard the popular Chinese song “Often Go Home to Visit Parents" (Chang Huijia Kankan)? You may pay the price in the future if you do not visit your parents regularly. A draft amendment to China's Elderly Law requiring people to visit their aging parents regularly has sparked a heated debate. Under the amendment, elderly people could go to court to claim their right to be physically and mentally looked after by their children.

The Chinese aging population (refers to senior citizens over 60 years of age) of 2009 had reached 167 million, accounting for 12.5 percent of the country's total population, a report released by the China National Committee on Ageing on Tuesday said.>>>>>

Filial tradition in China withering

Sixty-two percent of the urban elderly live apart from their grown-up children. And, only 48 percent of these "empty nesters" can expect a weekly visit from their children, while around 28 percent can expect a visit once a month. For 24 percent, it's only once every year.>>>>>

Forgotten folks need love and support from children

The elderly will really need help from society; not just financial but also psychological assistance from professionals and family members," said Yang Ping, a doctor from Beijing Psychological Center for Elderly People.>>>>>

It is a Chinese cultural tradition for children to take care of their aging parents. But should it be written into law? Is it easy to implement such an amendment? Are there better methods to deal with an aging population that needs better care and support? Here are some views from netizens.

Pros:It serves as a reminder.(HsunTze)

The government authorities can use the law to instill a sense of responsibility, a reminder to love and care for parents. It is the moral duty of human beings.

Filial piety is a rare commodity.(Siakap)

Filial piety is a very rare commodity these days. It is very sad that this traditional Chinese virtue is disappearing fast!

Actions should be taken before it is too late. (WutianWen)

I have seen examples of old people dying unnoticed in their apartments. It's such great a matter in my country, and we must take measures now. To strengthen moral education will take a long time and the best choice now is to make it legally bound.

"It is impossible to enforce compulsory visits to elderly family members because it violates personal liberty. It would be better to strengthen moral education than to force people to do something legally,"said Qian Jun, a Beijing-based lawyer.

The effect of law may be weakened.

"The effect of the law may be weakened if it cannot be effectively implemented. Many adult children who work outside their hometowns actually have little chance to go back home and visit their parents because they have engrossing jobs and very few holidays," said Wang Shichuan, a news analyst.

The law is impractical when it comes to punishment.

"It is hard to quantify whether a person offers more emotional care to his or her parents than previously," said Guo Zizhong, a legal expert at the Rights Protection Center for the Aged of the Beijing Gonghen law firm. "It's not possible for a law to set down the rules for punishing those who do not break a law, but who do not show enough filial obedience."

Filial piety as law

With the number of senior citizens still rising, more will have to be done to meet their material, emotional and spiritual needs. The amendment clause is one such step.>>>>>

Senior citizens need better treatment

The liability of taking care of the elderly should be shared by individuals, families, organizations and the government. But the government has a social and historical responsibility to play the leading role.>>>>>

Rural elderly at a disadvantage

The aging population in China's countryside should be treated as a priority when it comes to caring for senior citizens.>>>>>

Take proper care of the elderly

To ease the burden on the labor force and improve the livelihood of elderly people, governments at all levels should increase their expenditures to improve the social security and pension insurance systems.>>>>>