Children’s Educational Attainment and Older Parents’ Food Insecurity: Evidence From India

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relationship between children’s educational attainment and the risk of food insecurity among older parents and to determine if this relationship varies by the sex and residence of the children. Methods: This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI, 2017-18), comprising 25,914 individuals aged 60+ with at least one living child. Logistic regression, interaction analysis, and propensity score matching were employed to achieve the study’s objectives. Results: Having a child with higher education (undergraduate or above) was associated with a 35% reduction in the odds of parents experiencing food insecurity. This negative relationship was significant for both sons’ and daughters’ education, with daughters’ education having higher effect size. Conclusion: In a country like India, characterized by a weak welfare system but a strong collectivist family culture, children’s education may play an important role in ensuring older parents’ food security.