"Some of us parents have done a great deal for you, others less. Nevertheless, most of us gave all we could afford. We may have been a bit severe at times in disciplining you, but it was for your own good. Your happiness and security always came first.
"The natural law of reproduction is inexorable, and among animals the parental feeling is not so developed as it is among human beings. Just as soon as animal offspring are physically able to shift for themselves, they are abandoned. But it is not so among us intelligently developed human beings.
"You cannot hide behind the saying that since you did not ask us to bring you into the world, we are not your responsibility; therefore, you are released from any moral obligation to us. No, you are accountable to us, and you should justly return the love, affection, and protection that we bestowed upon you.
"We did not abandon you. Instead, you left us against our inward wishes to start your own family. You know we greatly miss your presence, your voice, and news from you and yours. Our parental love for you is just as keen now as when you were babies; we are just as anxious now for your welfare as we always were, even though you no longer live with us. It is now so easy and cheap to keep close contact with us, through rapid transportation, telephone, telegraph, and mail. We want to hear often from you some of you neglect to answer our letters, causing us worry and sleepless nights of suffering. When some of you do answer, you just get your secretary to typewrite a letter for you. We appreciate more the shortest of letters in your own handwriting.
"I am not criticizing you, sir, or my own children, or any specific children. I am blaming in general those who are guilty of neglecting their parents. Furthermore, I am giving you not only my reactions, but also those of many other parents I know.
"Have you ever missed a lost pet dog? How much more do we miss you, our own children?
"Now that we are separated, alone, and old, we need you more than ever to cheer us up before our end. It's a pity that the saying 'out of sight out of mind' is true with many of our children.
"The other affliction, the apprehension of want and dependence, is still worse for us. Through family responsibility and other circumstances beyond our control, most of us could not protect ourselves against old age dependence by purchasing an annuity or saving enough money for the 'rainy day.' No one knows the misery of this affliction until he has experienced it; and no one knows the bitter feeling of ingratitude, and disillusion better than the helpless aged.
"Many of those who have outlived their usefulness have no one to help them. With the petty old age pensions we cannot afford medical and personal care. Indifferently or apprehensive, we await death.
"As soon as age begins to gray our hair and line our faces, we are shelved; doors to employment are closed to us, even though we are healthy and efficient. When infirmity sets in, we seem to become a burden to some of our children, who quarrel among themselves, trying to shift the burden of our support. It is still worse when we elect to live with some of our children. We are treated like burdensome stepchildren. Whatever we say or don't say, or do or don't do is wrong; the dog may tear up the house, for he is cute and is petted and lovingly cared for.