Eroding Filial Piety and Its Implications for Social Work Practice

A pilot study was conducted in the Asian American communities on practitioners\u27 assessment of the effects of compliance/non-compliance with the value of filial piety and its impact on Asian American adult children, aged parents and practitioners themselves. Eighty-two practitioners in six cities returned mailed questionnaires. Since filial piety was an emotionladen topic, projective technique was used in questionnaire design. Practitioners were asked questions regarding a hypothetical case. The findings demonstrated a gradual shift of filial responsibilities to health/social service providers with concomitant affective conflicts on the part of Asian American adult children, aged parents and practitioners themselves. With greater understanding of these conflicts, it is hoped that filial piety and the extended family support system will be strengthened