Classmate 1 Comment
The answer presented by the first classmate portrays filial piety as the aspect of respecting one’s ancestors, fathers, and elders. The practice is highly prevalent in countries found in East Asia such as China, Korea, and Japan. Filial piety was common during the ancient times. People believed in ancestral worship saying that there was always a forefather watching over the current generation. Unfortunately, most individuals today have stopped trusting the tradition. Those who conduct the activity only do it because they are directed to do so and not because they place any value. According to the passage, the ancient persons administered a take and give relationship whereby they used worship to prevent the occurrence of disaster upon the households. The values declined with the rise of communist countries that does not observe the beliefs (Park, 2015). The only remnants of filial piety can be found in funeral practices, ritual shaman, events, clothing, and food. The decline filial piety has distorted the foundation of Asian culture.
Classmate 2 comment
The second classmate focuses on the emergence of Confucian Philosophy as an anthropological method of describing filial piety. Most nations in Asia are renowned for their Confucian heritage that covers the essence of filial piety and the family. The deduction attributes the decline in fertility levels in East Asia as the primary problem facing piety traditions. Due to the programs and sanctions enacted by the leadership in some of the countries, the population now consists of more elderly individuals than the younger generation. Children in nations such as Japan are educated during their early years concerning filial piety so that as they mature they develop into respectable adults (Canda, 2013). However, the regulations limit the young people who are entitled to take care of the elderly. Interventions are necessary to sustain the realm of piety practices and preserve the traditions of East Asia. Respect should be accorded to the elderly due to their vast experiences in life.
References
Canda E. R. (2013). Filial Piety and Care for Elders: A Contested Confucian Virtue Reexamined. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work. Volume 22, Issue 3-4.
Park H. (2015). Lessons from filial piety: Do we need ‘memorial social work’ for the dead and their families? Qualitative Social Work Journal.
