Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2009, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (5): 149-167.

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Living Arrangements of the Elderly and Children’s Caregiving Behaviors

 XIE Gui-Hua   

  • Online:2009-09-20 Published:2009-09-20

Abstract:

Using data from the 2006 General Social Survey, this paper analyzes how elders’ residential arrangements, living distances from children and the number of children influence the children’s caregiving behaviors. The study finds that, although the residential arrangements of the elders and living distances from their children do not affect significantly the economic support given by the children, they affect the daily care and emotional support from the children. The parents coresiding with their children receive care and emotional support more frequently on a daily basis than those living independently. The shorter the living distance, the more daily care and emotional support given by the children. The study also shows that, the frequency of a child’s caregiving is not affected by the number of siblings s/he has. Single children do not care for their parents more frequently than nonsingle children.

Key words: residential space differentiation, developmental trend, negative social externality, Shanghai
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 children’s caregiving behaviors, living arrangement, living distance, number of children