1、 Introduction

Doris Lessing's novel "The Diary of a Good Neighbor" explores the issue of aging population and aging through the diary style narrative of Jenna Sommers. Researchers focus on Jenna's narrative, believing that it breaks the binary opposition between youth and old age and deepens the understanding of aging and death. At the same time, some scholars have also paid attention to the survival difficulties of the elderly Modi, revealing the hardships experienced by the elderly in contemporary British society. However, commentators have failed to delve into the ethical demands of elderly people living alone and the tension between the welfare system in the UK. Lessing exposed the ethical dilemmas in the implementation of elderly welfare by the British government and the ethical deficiencies in the aging society under neoliberal ideology through the ethical misconduct of "good neighbors". The novel deeply and meticulously depicts the elderly care problems in contemporary British society, and emphasizes the significance and value of caring ethics.

2、 The ethical misconduct of 'good neighbors'

The "Good Neighbors" program in the UK originated from the 1968 Sebom Report and a nationwide movement in 1976, aimed at supporting impoverished elderly people living alone through community and volunteer services, and promoting personal well-being. However, due to the lack of effective government intervention, the implementation of this plan often falls into ethical dilemmas due to the moral and ability issues of practitioners or organizers. Lai Xin's novel "Diary of a Good Neighbor" reveals the neglect of ethical demands by "good neighbors" towards elderly and lonely people in practical services, as well as the shortcomings of community elderly care services in terms of material and spiritual care, through the stories of the narrator Jiana and the elderly neighbor Modi. Although Jenna is not an official 'good neighbor', her care and companionship towards Modi reflect a genuine understanding and response to the ethical demands of the elderly, in sharp contrast to the nominal 'good neighbor', exposing the ethical dilemmas of the contemporary British social pension welfare system.

3、 Ethical dilemmas in elderly welfare

In Doris Lessing's "Diary of a Good Neighbor," the ethical dilemmas of the elderly welfare system are deeply revealed. Although the elderly enjoy government welfare, they feel angry and dissatisfied when receiving services. Jenna discovered through taking care of Modi that bureaucracy in elderly care services is the main reason why elderly people refuse community services. Bureaucratic style is reflected in service providers sticking to conventions, neglecting the suffering of the elderly, and imposing excessive constraints on service recipients and providers. Sociologists point out that the welfare system in the UK is controlled by professionalism and bureaucracy, and policy makers rarely pay attention to the needs and opinions of welfare users.

4、 The erosion of neoliberalism and marketization

As a representative of the liberal welfare system, the UK has implemented neoliberal policies over the past 40 years, resulting in an increase in conditional welfare distribution and erosion of civil society rights. In the field of elderly welfare, capitalism values individual productivity and neglects the needs of the elderly. The neoliberal welfare system shifts the risk of aging onto individuals and families, leading to difficulties in the lives of the elderly. Lai Xin's novels reflect the erosion of neoliberalism on the well-being of the elderly through conflicts between the elderly and social workers and caregivers. The reduction in welfare expenditures has led to a decline in service quality, and service practitioners are facing difficulties. The government hires unqualified female household workers to save welfare expenses, leading to dissatisfaction among the elderly with the services. The neoliberal welfare reform has marginalized the elderly and made them a financial burden, leading to ethical paradoxes in pension welfare.

5、 The value support of caring ethics

In Doris Lessing's novel "The Good Neighbor's Diary," Jenna's end-of-life care for Modi embodies the value of caring ethics. In the context of an aging society in the West, care ethics provides a moral support to combat the erosion of neoliberalism on elderly welfare. Neoliberalism emphasizes an independent, autonomous, and rational personal image, while ignoring the reality of dependence and ethical care needs of the elderly. Through Jenna's caregiving behavior, Lessing demonstrated the core idea of caring ethics: human vulnerability and dependence are the foundation of ethical choices, and we are all interdependent and have a responsibility to care for and take care of others. Jenna's behavior is in stark contrast to those who are busy with social reform. She took the initiative to take care of Modi, reflecting the primacy of interpersonal relationships. Lai Xin praised the ethics of care and called on society to provide more care and assistance to elderly people living alone.

6、 Conclusion

Lessing depicts the daily life of Jenna taking care of Modi in the form of a diary, revealing the ethical dilemma of elderly widows in contemporary British welfare society. The contradiction between economic development and aging society has intensified, and the neoliberal pension welfare reform has led to difficulties in the lives of the elderly, causing welfare to fall into an ethical paradox. Through Jenna's caring actions, Lessing emphasizes the importance of caring ethics in an aging society, reflecting the ethical ideals of caring for the elderly and caring for the elderly.