each individual¡¯s¡ªnot soci ety¡¯s¡ªresponsibility to look after his parents. Singapore is still conservativ e enough that most people will not object to this idea. It reinforces the tradit ional values and it doesn¡¯t hurt a society now and then to remind itself of its core values.ª¥ 

Second, and more important, it will make those who are inclined to shirk th eir responsibilities think twice. Until now, if a person asked family elders, cl ergymen or the Ministry of Community Development to help get financial support f rom his children, the most they could do was to mediate. But mediators have no t eeth, and a child could simply ignore their pleas.ª¥ 

But to be sued by one¡¯s parents would be a massive loss of face. It would be a public disgrace. Few people would be so thick-skinned as to say, ¡°Sue and be damned¡±. The hand of the conciliator would be immeasurably strengthened. It is far more likely that some sort of amicable settlement would be reached if th e recalcitrant son or daughter knows that the alternative is a public trial.ª¥ 

It would be nice to think Singapore doesn¡¯t need this kind of law. But th at belief ignores the clear demographic trends and the effect of affluence itsel f on traditional bends. Those of us who pushed for the bill will consider ourselv es most successful if it acts as an incentive not to have it invoked in the firs t place.ª¤25. The Maintenance of Parents Bill ___.ª¤ 
A. received unanimous support in the Singapore Parliamentª¤ 
B. was believed to solve all the problems of the elderly poorª¤ 
C. was intended to substitute for traditional values in Singaporeª¤ 
D. was passed to make the young more responsible to the oldª¤ 

26. By quoting the growing percentage points of the aged in the populatio n, the author seems to imply that ___.ª¤  
A. the country will face mounting problems of the old in futureª¤ 
B. the social welfare system would be under great pressureª¤