Working adults: do you give money to your parents?

Question

I know this question may sound rediculous to a lot of you-- "why would I give money to my parents?" you may ask. Well, I grew up in a culture where it is normal for grown up children to give money monthly to their parents as a way of "thank you" and paying respect. My father has been given his parents 1/3 of his salary every month since he started working 25 years ago. My parents live more than 1000 miles away from my grandparents and my Dad send them a check every month. I am just curious, how many of you give money to your parents?

Answer 1

I did because I owed them so much for them working on my car, putting me through school, giving me loans, and such. I am now paid off and I don't give my Dad money anymore. My mother passed away in 2000. I will "hide" money every once in a while in my Dad's deodorant drawer when I go home, but I do not pay him anymore. He wouldn't take it. He was always trying to give me money by sticking it in my glove box and such. Now he is helping my other siblings out who are down and out and he needs them to pay him back as he is dwindling his savings for them.

He will not take money from me anymore since I am "paid up". I just hide a few dollars in his drawer now and then. He doesn't say anything when I do that. It isn't much. He is a proud man and wouldn't take it as he feels he should always provide for his children as long as we are trying to make it on our own.

It is very noble of you to do so and I commend you for doing it. It is very respectful to return the favor as we get older. They took care of us, and we should take care of them. The world would be a better place if everyone had that attitude.

Answer 2

I've heard of some Asian families doing this. I only give money to my parents if they need it. This has actually happened on a couple of occasions and only once was it solicited. Parents are family and the most important for some so I don't mind helping if I have it and they need it. As far as sending them a monthly payment...I don't have it like that and I don't feel it's my responsibility to completely support them at this stage. It could actually be fiscally irresponsible for me at this point. When they are well past retirement and don't have enough income...that's different. But as of now, I'm in my late twenties, married with no children and they are in their fifties and working. So hopefully, I can get my life off the ground and the kids in college before I have to worry about the folks.

Answer 3

We don't give them money on a regular basis but if they needed it we would give it. What we do is take them to dinner and help them with yardwork. My Dad's health is bad and Dad and Mom have to travel 150 miles to his doctors so we bought them a cellphone for Christmas and we pay the bill. We just added it to our family plan. Currently they are going through a financially difficult time and we've taken over paying for their auto insurance until they get on their feet again. If they need something and we're able, then we get it for them. My parents wouldn't just take money from us so this is the way we pay them back for all of the things they've done for us.

Answer 4

This isn't a class issue or a cultural issue. It's about how your family operates. My brother and I give my mother money all the time and it doesn't matter how much money she has or whether she needs it. It's about us saying "Thank you". But we have to be sneaky about it from time to time because my mom has a hard time taking money from us. She still sees her role as being the parent and having to provide for us even though we're grown *** people To get around this, I'll put money in her purse or I'll buy her things and/or take her places so she doesn't have to spend her money . Then I'll conveniently forget to take the money when she tries to pay me back. LOL!

Answer 5

I give my parents $200 a week just for the hell of it. I also pay for a car & their car insurance. My parents are well off and don't really need the help but I do it because I can and because they are at retirement age and need to prepare their nest egg.

If you feel like you should and can financially afford it, then why not? But if you can't, then don't. And tell them you've considered but just don't feel financially ready.

I'm sure they'll appreciate the thought and the honesty.

Answer 6

Prehaps your culture is from the Philippines.

When there are no government social programs to help needy people, then it's natural for family members to depend on each other.

I don't give any money to my parents because they don't need any money from me. They are getting enough from their old age pension. But I am giving some money for my wife's mother because she needs it, and she doesn't have any old age pension.

When parents don't need money, then thanking them with words and respectful attitude is good enough. It doesn't make sense for young people to deny themselves and live in poverty so that their parents could live in luxury.

Answer 7

Only if they were starving or homeless, but in those cases I would either give them food or shelter, rather than money. Don't give anyone in need money, give them the things they need.

Answer 8

They give money to help support their parents. It's not because they have to or any way of saying thanks. It's simple out of kindness to help a parent financially. Your grandparent are probably living below the poverty level.

Answer 9

I just have my Mom but I am always happy to help her out whenever she needs anything or whenever I can. She helped me out when I was younger so I am glad to help her now. I only wish I was financially in a position to do more.

Answer 10

i don't give my mom money on a regular basis, but I help out quite often. I've payed for car repairs, cell phone bills, etc.. and not necesarily because she needed me to do it, just to make things a little easier on her.