Confucianism

When looking at the five bonds in the power-point that was presented in class I thought it was interesting but I don't understand all of it. Filial piety means to be good to one's parents, to take care of one's parents. To not be rebellious in or out side of the home, to respect and support your elders, children are only supposed to eat after there parents have eaten. To me this does not make much sense, in my own life I eat with my family every night. To show love to your parents and show sorrow for their sickness and death. After a parent has died children are expected to mourn the loss of there parent for three years. This consists of living a more simple life for three years and sacrificing the old ways you lived. Filial piety is considered a big part of Chinese culture. It is talked about in many stories.

       The Five Bonds:

• Ruler to Ruled
• Father to Son
• Husband to Wife
• Elder Brother to Younger Brother
• Friend to Friend

In each one of these five bonds specific duties are given to different people in these relationships. Duties were also given to the dead. Respect for your elders was highly looked upon with the exception of a friend to friend relationship. Filial piety is now built into the law. Children have the responsbility to take care of there parents. 
I have talked a lot about children and parents relationships with each other, but I am still confused on the relationship between husband and wife as well as friend to friend. As far as ruler to ruled goes, to me it sounds like the same relationship between father to son, but I could be wrong. The Ruler being the parent and the ruled being the child.