ABSTRACT
A parent's responsibility for the support of children reflects fundamental obligations arising from humans' inevitable dependency. This chapter examines the extent of, as well as the moral and legal basis of, adult children's responsibility for the support and care of dependent parents. Specifically, it analyses state statutes that require adult children who are able to do so to support their parents, or to discharge debts that their parents cannot pay. The chapter discusses the possibility that as state budgets come under increasing pressure from growing dependent populations, including a growing number of destitute and dependent aging parents, they may attempt to recoup public funds that have been spent to provide services under programs such as Medicaid from adult children. Further, the chapter also examines the nature of familial and social obligations and the moral and practical basis of laws that require adult children to contribute to their parents' support.
