Sorry, I started that last post out poorly. I am referring to the horror stories regarding the cruelty, disrespect, and neglect from adult children. Their daily lives can be absolute nightmares with no relief in sight. I am just wondering if their adult children are better to them than ours are.

I have often thought the same thing. My daughter is married to a guy who is from the Phillippines. He was born there, and his mother lives here in the same town as us. Most of the family still lives in the Phillippines. Anyway, his mother is an alcoholic and she has men who come to her for sex, and they pay her by paying her utility bills. She has one guy who pays the water, another the electricity, and so forth. I guess you would call her a prostitute. And she repeatedly gets drunk, and drunk dials my son in law in the middle of the night, blubbering on about this, and that. She can't drive, because she was involved in a drunken hit and run a year ago, so they took her license and her car was totaled. Anyway, she has a LOT of problems and was never the "motherly" sort to my son in law. But somehow, miraculously by the grace of God, that young man has risen from all of that to be a wonderful husband to my daughter, father to my grandson, and most shocking of all, a loving son to his mother. He is patient with her, he checks on her twice a week, etc. It amazes me at how she garners such love and attention and respect (even though she does not deserve it) while I get zero from my child. Oh the irony of it.

I wouldn't be surprised if their children, both young and adult are far more giving and appreciative. I doubt if there's a "me" generation in war torn countries. How could anyone who has to scrounge around a dump for food have "entitlement" issues? We have had it so easy compared to them and we have made it as easy as we could for our kids. Look at all the parents who plan their lives around their kids' after school activities, sports, hobbies, etc. buying expensive uniforms, gear etc. Dinnertime is rushed in order to get to the day's practice, instead of dining together discussing the events of each other's day. Parents think keeping their kids busy will keep them out of trouble. In an effort to build their self esteem, they've been told numerous times how "special" they are. They believe it. They expect special treatment now from parents, bosses, the government, anyone else they think owes them something because they are so special. Schools don't teach them how to lose graciously, because, God forbid they ever lose and feel bad about it. We have mollycoddled them and our children are amplifying that with their own children.
My husband (68) was raised with the belief that a good man provides for his family. That was the husband and father's role. Now, roles are intertwined, both parents are expected to provide, and both are expected to parent. Marital needs take second place to kid's needs. So there are lots of spoiled kids being raised by divorced parents.
Any unbalanced issues in life result in problems, whether it's working, parenting, eating, drinking, whatever.

It is true. Adult children of all religions and nationalities treat their parents with respect just because it is their parents. Many cultures have it very ingrained in them from birth. I believe children in this Country often grow up feeling entitled. We see the result.

I have lived in a third-world country and three western-world countries.The three western-world countries all saw the same problems with their ac as we here have (one was not quite as bad as the other two)but not the third world. And Barbyzhere, I have to say, WELL SAID!!!!! I think the issues you raise are to blame for much of what we see in the western world. But I have seen Godly families, who raised their children completely opposite to what we find happening in most families of the west and yet..... It just doesn't make sense, does it? Maybe it would be a very good thesis topic for someone going for a doctorate in social work. I, for one, would LOVE to know why the difference! I think it would be good for western society in general to know why young adults such as the Filipino young man described above, turn out so well AND are respectful and caring of parents that were LOUSY parents providing a horrible home life for their children.
Rosearch, do I remember correctly that you now live in South America? Do you see ac there treating their parents so hatefully?

Our country is too liberal in how they want us to raise our children. We are not allowed to spank (and I only mean a little swat on the butt), if we disagree with these children we can be taken to court, the media and all the entitlement has turned our kids into a "ME" generation. They have been told so much that they are the best, they should have everything they want, etc.

It's sad!

I firmly believe our adult children act the way they do because of the severe spiritual and social changes in our society since the late 50's/early 60's. They are the product of a liberal-humanistic society that has been brainwashed to believe that God does not exist and has no relevance in our every "evolving" world. They make up their own rules, their own morals, where everything is subjective, there is no black or white, write or wrong - wrong is in the eye of the beholder. I have no idea who my ED's are. Neither have raised their children to believe in anything Higher than themselves and the consequences, as I have seen with one of my grandchildren, is a young man who has no self-worth, no direction in life and has turned out to be extremely self-centered and narcassistic - I love him, but I don't like who he has become. He is rude and disrespectful to me just as his mother was and continues to be.

Seems as though, despite our Christian homes, prayers and our diligence in raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, it isn't enough to counter the culture Thankfully we are not responsible for the results just our response to God's call to be faithful Christian parents.

I have shared this before.....but my situation does not follow what other countries do is so right with their kids. Our ED married a guy from India and he nor most men there do not respect women at all. He abuses her physically and emotionally has been fired from jobs even though he is well educated. He also has spent thousands on prostitutes. (she saw this on his phone) She makes a lot of money as an attorney and she STILL will not leave him. Soooo stubborn to admit she made a mistake....very poor example for her 2 girls.

She hates it because we warned her....that is why she treats us so bad.....reap what you sow.......