Conventional wisdom holds that traditional Chinese filial piety is on the wane, to the detriment of family ties.

But is forcing adults to visit their parents - fining them and publicly posting their names and humiliating them - the best way to bring about togetherness?

In the run-up to Spring Festival, a time of family reunions, a Shanghai neighborhood committee and a nursing home have recently undertaken the punitive measures.

They are not sanctioned by law and their effectiveness is not known. One lawyer said children could sue if their names were published and their reputations tarnished. Some observers are vigorously opposed to trying to force visits, saying respect and affection can not be forced.

The Nanjing Road E. Neighborhood Committee was the first to implement the punitive togetherness measures, seeking to oblige children to visit lonely parents. It issues two oral warnings to those who do not visit parents at least once every two weeks.

If warnings are ignored, then it would post the names on the neighborhood bulletin board for all to see.

Although paying respects to parents is essential in the Chinese culture, the tradition is fading as more people who live apart from their parents are too busy to visit regularly.

Daily necessities

Statistics show that among the 12,000 seniors, 670 live alone in the neighborhood. Some seldom have family visits, said Ding Weilong, committee director.

The rest home in Pingliang neighborhood, Yangpu District, has a similar view. Children will be charged 50 yuan (US$5.20) if they pay no visits on the weekends.

The fees will be spent on daily necessities for the elders. Officials emphasized that the purpose of the charge is to push children to visit their parents more often. Not everyone hails the new policies.

"A few warnings are indeed necessary," said Sun Pengbiao, spokesperson at the Shanghai Research Center on Aging. "But listing the names just seemed too much."

Sun said the motivation for family visits for seniors was good, but noted the policy might interfere too much with people's private lives.

Liu Chunquan, a lawyer, said the people who were named and humiliated have the right to sue the committee for tarnishing their reputation.

"They probably wanted more publicity to attract funds," said Li Ping, director of the Second Senior Home in Hongkou District.

Sun and Li said some people probably would rather pay the 50 yuan instead of paying family visits.

"Respect for parents cannot be forced," the lawyers said.

(Shanghai Daily January 12, 2006)