Ethics

Since I live much closer to my parents than my other brothers (in terms of geography) do, do I have a greater moral duty to look after them once they'll be in need of assistance?

Comments

Great question. One way to think of this would be to hold that you both have an equal duty to care for the parents, but in your case this might mean more visits and in-person contact, due to geography. So, imagine your older brother lives in China while you are in the states and 8 miles away from your parents. Imagine that for your older brother to make it to your parents' home involves great costs, personally, professionally and economically. In that case, perhaps him coming to help out during a home visit once a year for a week would involve greater costs than you seeing the parents regularly througout the year. On this view, you both would have an equal duty to look after them and both of you would be giving of yourselves in roughly equal proportion, even if that involves you caring for them more frequently.

Having been through a similar experience of caring for parents and having siblings, I might add that while such care-giving for parents can be quite strssful and taxing, you also have an advantage over your older brother. If I could turn back time and it were my parents, I would have much preferred being in your position rather than your older brother's. Every good wish to you and yours! CT

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