The word “filial” is an adjective meaning “of a son or daughter and filial duty/respect/affection”. “Filial” is often coupled with the phrase “filial piety”, a noun that is defined as “reverence for parents considered in Chinese ethics the prime virtue and the basis of all human rights relations”. Elder law which deals with the care for elders and their rights is premised to a certain extent on filial responsibility. This is not to say that all aspects of elder law are based on filial piety or responsibility. There could be moral, social and economic undertones to rationalize elder care and elder law.
