Despite the vagueness in wording, the newly amended Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly should be embraced for its attempt to address the issue of senior citizens neglected by their children.

According to the law, which took effect on Monday, adult citizens should visit or keep in touch with elderly family members on a regular basis.

The amendment has raised controversy since it was made public, with some saying it is inappropriate to use the law to force people to exercise filial piety, which they believe is a moral imperative. Some have also criticized the law because it has no specifics on how often people should visit their parents, nor the punishments that are to be meted out to violators. Others have said it is necessary to prepare the country for the ageing society that looms ahead.