Final answer:
The term that describes Deborah's sense of responsibility to care for her aging parents is b. filial obligation. It is a cultural and societal norm that varies widely across the globe, with some cultures regarding it as a sacred duty and others seeing it as a burden, influenced by the family's past interactions and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sense of responsibility Deborah feels to care for her aging parents is known as filial obligation. This term refers to the duty of a child to care for their parents especially as they become older and may need assistance. In many cultures, this is a deeply ingrained societal norm. For example, in Asia, filial obligation is particularly strong, rooted in a historical context of family-based elder care, which differs from Western perspectives where the elderly are expected to be more independent. In the United States, there is a conditional approach to this care, and it is often tied to factors such as potential inheritance or the past support provided by the elderly to the caregiver.
While some see caring for the elderly as a burden, others view it as a necessary role, shaped by cultural attitudes and family dynamics. This can vary within countries, with demographics like Latinos, African Americans, and Asians in the US being less likely to place their elder family members in care facilities, compared to other groups.