In China it’s often the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law who don’t get on well enough, until both sides agree to live apart. And it’s socially acceptable if the younger couple help the old couple in ways that are necessary. Well, for example, when the parents are strong enough to live on their own the children are expected to help when needed. When the parents are too old to take care of themselves, they should be moved back to the children’s home where they are properly fed, clothed and sheltered.
在中国经常是婆媳关系不好，只要双方同意分家。社会也能接受这种做法，只要小夫妻能以必要的方式帮助两位老人。嗯，比如说，父母体力尚好能独立生活的时候，儿女们只在需要的时候帮忙。父母年事已高不能自理时，让他们搬回儿女家，衣、食、住都能得到周到的照顾。
A common stereotype of older Americans is that they are usually "put away" in nursing homes and forgotten about. Actually, only about 5 percent live in some type of institution. More than half of those 65 or older live with or near at least one of their children. The vast majority of the elderly live alone and take care of themselves. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 75 percent own their own homes. Over a million senior adults live in retirement communities. These provide residents with meals, recreation, companionship, medical care and a safe environment.
一般人对美国老人家的刻板印象是被「遣送到」养护院去，然后被人遗忘。然而事实上，只有百分之五的人住在此类机构中，超过半数的六十五或六十五岁以上老人，是与孩子同住或住在其中一个孩子的附近。绝大部份的老年人是自己住并自己照顾自己的，根据美国户口调查局的统计，他们百分之七十五拥有自己的房子，超过一百万名老年人住在退休者的社区中，这些社区为其居民提供饮食、娱乐、友谊、医疗照顾、以及安全的环境。
☆ 关于代沟：
One important cause of the generation gap in the China nowadays is the opportunity that young people have to choose their own life-styles. In the past, China is more traditional, and when children grow up, they are expected to live in the same area as their parents, to marry people that their people know and approve of, and often to continue the family occupation. But now, a increasing number of young people often travel great distances for their education, move out of the family home at an early age, marry—or live with—people whom their parents have never met and choose occupations different from those of their parents.
Also, the speed at which changes are taking place in China is another cause of the gap between the generations. In the past, elderly people are valued for their wisdom, but now the knowledge of a lifetime may become obsolete overnight. The young and the old seem to live in two very different worlds, separated by different skills and abilities.
☆ 关于一位老人的病逝，看看你得到什么启发：
At 82 he was ready to die, and I was ready to let him go so that his suffering would end. We laughed and cried and held hands and told each other of our love and agreed that it was time. I said,“Dad, after you have gone I want a sign from you that you are fine,” He laughed at the absurdity of that; Dad didn't believe in reincarnation. I wasn't positive I did either, but I had had many experiences that convinced me I could get some signal“ from the other side”.
My father and I were so deeply connected I felt his heart attack in my chest at the moment he died. Later I mourned that the hospital, in their sterile wisdom, had not let me hold his hand as he had slipped away.
父亲82岁那年，生命垂危，将撒手人寰，我已做好准备，这样他的痛苦能够终止。我们开心地笑,我们痛苦地哭，我们牵着彼此的手，我们告诉彼此是多么地相爱，我们坦然面对这分手的时候。我说，“爸爸，您去后我要您给我个信号，告诉我您一切都好。”爸爸对这荒唐的想法哈哈大笑;他不相信来世转生。不过，我也不能说我就相信，但我有很多经历让我确信我可以从“那个世界 ”得到一些信号。
父亲和我是如此血肉相连，以致他死的那一刻，我胸中也感到他的心力衰竭。后来我很悲哀：医务人员为防传染 ，父亲悄然离世时,没让我握着他的 手 。
☆ 关于老龄化问题(Old-age Boom)
It’s time-honored virtue to respect the elderly. That’s why their own flesh and blood are supposed to look after them.
Well-being / Farewell is something, because seniors will lead a much more comfortable life.
☆关于美国老年人(可以与中国老人比较)
We all like to imagine that we're getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy observing the miracle of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud.
我们都喜欢想象着自己能够越来越有智能，而不只是变老，我们大部份人也同时较喜欢观察别人成长的奇迹。例如：看到我们的孩子长大并学习新的事物使我们感到骄傲。