This paper explores African Americans' ideas about filial obligations.The findings are based on focus groups with eight differentage-homogeneous groups. Although all age groups expressed strongcommitment to filial obligations, they differed in their ability torecognize and accept constraints on family care. This variation wasclearly related to cohort differences and participants' own experiencesas caregivers or care receivers. Viewing our data through the lens ofClark and Anderson's (1965) adaptation model that distinguishes betweenadaptation, which is always positive, and adjustment, which may benegative, we found that younger cohorts' unbending idealism may lead tomaladaptive behaviors should they be called upon suddenly and withoutpreparation to assume the role of primary caregivers.