Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2016, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 222-241.

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Mothers' Parental Influence on Rural Migrant Workers' Important Life Decisions

GUO Qiuju1, JIN Xiaoyi2   

  1. 1. Department of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAuthor;
    2. School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University
  • Online:2016-09-20 Published:2016-09-20
  • Supported by:

    This study is supported by Key Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China in the title of "Problems and Public Policies for Urbanization of Rural Migrant Workers:Sustainable Livelihood and Equal Access to Basic Public Services" (13&ZD044).

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Abstract:

The massive rural youth migration in China in recent decades has weakened the traditional influence of mothers upon their adult children over important life decisions. This study analyzes the data from the 2013 Survey of Shenzhen Migrant Workers with application of OLS and Ordinal Logistic models to look into the intergenerational relationship between mothers and their migrant children. How influential are mothers today over their grown up children who have left home? What kind of factors determine the influence? These questions are examined through the lens of recourse theory,cultural norm theory and intergenerational relationship. We find that mothers of rural migrant workers still play an important role in their children's personal life and their important decision-makings. Children often consult mothers on important matters not so much out of deference to authority but out of respect. All three theoretical perspectives are somewhat applicable to explain this continuous influence,however,intergenerational relationship is by far the most relevant. Mothers with more resources,educational or otherwise,exert more influence on important matters of their migrant children. However,children with more recourses are not necessarily less inclined to consult with their mothers. A strong cultural value of filial piety leads to closer communication with mothers over key life decisions. The intergenerational kinship relationship appears to be the most significant factor determining the influence. Those who share similar outlooks and maintain a close and affectionate relation with their mothers are most likely to seek parental input over important personal decisions.

Key words: intergenerational influence, rural migrant workers'mothers, important life decisions