[varjag]

In most places with undeveloped third party social service family is your only option. If you have no family to watch after you, you perish miserably or put into some hellish institution running on absolute cheap.

For the lack of other options, family caretaking is typically presented as a virtue (just as GP does here). But it has its share of rarely mentioned horror stories with children and relatives… not doing adequate caretaking job with their parents to say least.

[waivek]

That's also a way of looking at it. I wouldn't agree with the part where you say "family caretaking is typically presented as a virtue" however. Being virtuous is synonymous with being honorable. If you see a parent taking care of their sick child would you say "how honorable"? Or is it simply what is expected of them to be considered a decent human being?

[varjag]

As long as you can provide good quality care, there isn't much of a moral difference how it's done. Just don't see how a trained professional changing vessels is worse than resentful daughter-in-law doing the same.

[waivek]

Ah okay. I think I am beginning to understand your point of view. :)

Can this concept be extended to a parent-child relationship where the parent is replaced by a trained professional?

[varjag]

Sure, kindergartens are a common thing.

[waivek]

That's a very uncharitable reply

[varjag]

Certainly not any more uncharitable than the smug question.