Family Structure and Competing Demands From Aging Parents and Adult Children Among Middle-Aged People in China

Abstract

China has experienced the verticalization of family structure. It has changed the support between aging parents and adult children among middle-aged adults who are often in the position of providing support to older and younger generations (sandwiched situation). Using data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we studied the support choice of middle-aged people. Results show that middle-aged people who provided support to older generations were also more likely to provide support to younger generations. Couples of whom neither spouse has a brother were less likely to financially support their parents only and provide instrumental support to their children only than couples of whom both spouses have brothers. Couples of whom one spouse has a brother were more likely to favor their children financially than couples of whom both spouses have brothers. These imply that sandwiched situation is harder to balance through family solidarity.