To
@Sigmund 's point, the issue really begins with one of entitlement. Today's children
and their parents were raised in a time when one does not have to consider common courtesy or any viewpoints that might require someone to think of someone other than themselves. The attitude of "anything for the children" boils down to the children as "anything for me".
The issue isn't that we don't value our elders; I believe the issue is that we over value our children at the expense of our elders. Young life is important and definitely needs to be nourished. But older life is just as precious and no less valuable. The elderly may no longer be able to reproduce, but what they have to offer is no less valuable - but in today's society, it is a commodity that is deemed worthless and one that impinges on the perceived overvaluing of youth.
The elderly are dismissed, mocked, seen as obstacles, and described with numerous pejoratives that would be called out immediately if they were used to describe any other group.
It's not that family isn't important. It is. But respect and value goes both ways and sadly, our society has chosen to make this a oneway street when it comes to children versus older adults.