Cuban psychologist Gise Ponce, the mind behind the Instagram profile @guapaspordentro_psicologia, recently sparked a conversation with a reel challenging the traditional expectations placed on Cuban children. She argues that the economic burden placed upon them to support their parents is not a natural duty but rather a byproduct of the governing system.
In her video, Ponce boldly states, "It's not the children's responsibility to secure their parents' old age, and I'm genuinely surprised by the number of comments that don't grasp this point." Her statement has ignited discussions among her followers.
Ponce draws a clear distinction between familial love and the systemic dependency forged over decades by an economic model that stripped Cuban families of their ability to accumulate wealth. She criticizes the Cuban system as "perverse," highlighting how it has robbed individuals of their resources, normalizing a reality that many Cubans now perceive as inevitable or even virtuous.
She points out that the Cuban regime has purposely cultivated this dependency. "Part of the indoctrination is making people believe this is normal," she explains, contrasting Cuba's situation with other countries where parents typically have pensions and have secured assets like homes during their lifetime. In such places, children are expected to provide love and companionship rather than financial support.
This video builds upon a previous discussion Ponce initiated in late August regarding the "role reversal" in Cuban emigrant families. At that time, she highlighted how "many children don't leave feeling completely free; they emigrate with an entire family on their shoulders," a sentiment that resonated with thousands.
Ponce emphasizes a crucial distinction: "An adult's responsibility is to ensure their own life, and children will give back with love as much as they can." Helping out of affection is one thing, she concludes, but when that help becomes the sole guarantee of a parent's survival, the fault lies with the system, not the families.
As of September 2025, Cuba's minimum pension is set at 4,000 Cuban pesos per month, equivalent to less than $10 on the informal exchange market. However, meeting basic needs amid rampant inflation can cost thousands of pesos. Many children in exile feel compelled to address the shortages their parents face on the island.
This harsh reality underscores how family survival in Cuba increasingly depends on those living abroad. Remittances, phone top-ups, food, medicine, and other forms of support sent from overseas have become essential lifelines for many families, given that local wages and pensions fall short of covering basic necessities.
This dependency not only shifts part of the country's financial burden onto emigrants but also makes family solidarity a challenging obligation to escape. Those aware that, without their help, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones would face even greater hardships find it difficult to turn away.
Understanding the Economic Challenges for Cuban Families
Why does Gise Ponce criticize the Cuban system regarding family support?
Gise Ponce criticizes the Cuban system because it has created a dependency where children are expected to financially support their parents, a situation she believes is not natural but imposed by the regime's economic model.
What are the economic realities faced by Cuban families?
Cuban families face the challenge of surviving on inadequate pensions and wages, with many relying on remittances and support from relatives abroad to cover basic needs due to inflation and economic hardships.
How does the Cuban system affect the dynamic between parents and children?
The system fosters a dependency where children feel obliged to support their parents financially, altering the typical dynamic seen in other countries where parents have pensions and assets, and children primarily provide emotional support.