Jane English's theory of filial obligation and parental support

Obligation of Children Toward Their Parents

Moral philosopher Jane English argues that adult children have no moral obligation to support their parents. This theory is founded on a basic tenet of her philosophy that one only "owes" that which he or she consensually accepts as an obligation. Parents choose to have or adopt children, and are therefore morally obligated to provide support and sustenance for their young children. Children, on the other hand, do not ask to be brought into the world or adopted, so they can not be morally required to take on the reverse obligation of caring for their parents in their old age.

English argues that when parents care for their children, this is a "favor" or a voluntary sacrifice. Such a favor does not cause a moral obligation to incur for the recipient party, the child, and it does not therefore create an "owing" relationship. Thus, English concludes that "a filial obligation would only arise from whatever love (s)he [the adult child] may still feel for them [her parents]." The moral obligation therefore appears to stop when the friendship relationship ends, belying the concept of a genuine moral obligation.