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Paternal Affairs

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

2015

An Italian pensioner is suing his two sons for their refusal to provide him with extra income every month, the Telegraph reports. The man, who so far has remained anonymous, points to traditional Italian family values in his request for the monthly sum of approximately 75 euros from each son. His lawyer spoke about the case this week:

Mr. Capraro, who is based in Treviso, told The Telegraph that it was not fair that “a father must support his children but his children do not think they have to support him.”

“He [the father] decided to file a lawsuit against his children because he didn’t believe they really had financial difficulties,” Mr. Capraro added.

The initial stages of the case have already taken place, but Mr. Capraro is advising the family to settle the matter out of court. “I have asked the judge to postpone the next hearing,” he said. “Hopefully they will make peace with each other.”

1521

Being one of Italy’s most in-demand artists didn’t shield Michelangelo from the difficulties of family relations. After a money-related tiff with his father in which Michelangelo felt he was being unduly smeared, he sent a letter beseeching his parent to consider what a good, supportive son he’d been:

And since I came back to Florence from Rome, I’ve always looked after you, and you know I confirmed that all I have is yours; and indeed it’s only a few days ago, when you were ill, that I told you and promised that I would do my best never to fail you as long as I live, and this I confirm. Now I’m amazed that you’ve forgotten everything so soon. Yet you’ve tired me out these thirty years, you and your sons, and you know I’ve always thought about you and helped you whenever I could. How can you go around saying that I turned you out? Don’t you see what a reputation you’re giving me when they can say I turned you out? That’s all I needed, on top of my worries about other things, and all for your sake! A nice way you have of thanking me! Anyhow, be that as it may, I’ll try to imagine that I turned you out and that I’ve always brought you shame and trouble, and just as if I’d really done it, I ask your forgiveness. Just think that you’re forgiving a son who has always lived a bad life and done everything possible on this earth to harm you: and so again I beg you to forgive me like the wretch I am, and don’t give me the reputation up there of having turned you out, for it matters more to me than you think. After all, I’m still your son!