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Article
Old Age Support in Contemporary Urban China from Both Parents’ and Children’s Perspectives
Research on Aging
  • Rongjun Sun, Cleveland State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2002
Abstract

This article explores the links between old age support and the characteristics of both parents and children drawing on survey data collected in Baoding, China, in 1994. Three specific forms of support are examined: monetary transfers, in-kind gifts, and help with daily activities. Hierarchical modeling is applied to the analysis from childrens perspective to control for the unobserved family heterogeneity. Results indicate that intergenerational support within families is currently the major source of old age security in Chinese society. Analyses from both parents’ and childrens perspectives support the corporate group/mutual aid model, which largely sees the provision of help as dependent on elderly parents’ needs and childrens capacities. Although living away from children does not affect whether elderly parents receive economic help, it does constrain their receiving help on daily activities. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

DOI
10.1177/0164027502243003
Version
Postprint
Citation Information
Sun, R. (2002). Old age support in contemporary rrban China from both parents’ and children’s perspectives. Research on Aging, 24(3), 337-359.