Quality or Quantity: Familial Intergenerational Imbalance and Old Age Support in Rural China

• In Event: 368 - Regular Session. Aging

Abstract

This paper examines how different dimensions of familial intergenerational relations influence adult children to provide economic and emotional support to their elderly parents in rural China. We pay special attention to the different mechanisms in terms of how quality and quantity of intergenerational relations affect old age support separately, and further examine intergenerational imbalance. Using data on 756 elderly parents and 2,630 parent-child pairs drawn from 19 Chinese villages, the authors found firstly that, elderly parents with more children and with a history of supporting their children strongly are more likely to receive support economically. However, intergenerational intimacy (quality) has little effect on the economic support given by adult children to their elderly parents. Second, intergenerational intimacy and parents’ familial status determine the degree to which elderly parents receive emotional support. Neither the number of children nor the investments made by parents in their children have significant effect. In other words, both the quality and quantity of intergenerational relations need to be considered in assuring that the diverse needs of elderly parents in later life are met. The results are discussed in terms of the prevailing borders within families in modern China and uncertainties existing in transitional rural China with regard to support for the elderly.

Authors

• Zhiyong Lin, University of Maryland-College Park

• Xiaomei Pei, Tsinghua University