New Patterns of Parents' Coresidence in China

As China's population is aging while the social security system of the nation is underdeveloped, traditional family roles have to take on responsibilities for the wellbeing of elderlies. Elderlies who are retired and have no more additional income source rely on their children for shelter. Due to the changing economic climate, we see parents becoming the subject of children's attention (Zhang, 2004). Supposedly, due to China's modernizing economy, elderlies are predicted to coreside less with their children (Levy, 1949). However, from previous blog posts, we know that Chinese elderlies' population rise up beyond expectations and it is hurting China through several factors. The fact that elderlies' aging population rises while the nation has poor social security system costs adult children the pressure of being responsible in care-taking roles for their parents. 

Zhang's further research on parents coresidence show the pattern of child-centered coresidence during parents' middle life shifting to parent-centered pattern during parents' old life. The emerging class differentials we can find in Chinese society today does play an effect on coresident patterns. Families with higher resources will enjoy better parent-child relationship (Riley, 1994). These families are more open to the intergenerational living arrangements are they have more flexible resources. However, I do believe that if socioeconomic status is becoming the determinant of elderlies' shelter, it wouldn't be fair for those who have less resources. My suggestion is that the government expand and develop its social security system so it could benefit elderlies with lower socio-economic status. 

Resources:
Levy, M. (1949). The family revolution in modern China. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.


Riley, N. (1994). Interwoven lives: Parents, marriage, and guanxi in China. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56, 791-803.

Zhang, Q. (2004). Economic Transition and New Patterns of Parent-Adult Child Coresidence in Urban China. Journal Of Marriage & Family, 66(5), 1231-1245.