Filial Responsibility Expectations Among Adult Child-Older Parent Pairs

Abstract

We investigated filial responsibility consensus in a random sample of 144 elderly parent-adult child pairs. Most respondents interpreted the filial role as including a great deal of emotional support and discussion of important matters and available resources. Both generations perceived living close by and writing letters to parents on a weekly basis as less important. Parents, compared to their offspring, were more likely to disapprove of receiving financial assistance from children, living with children, and having children adjust their work schedules to help them. Robinson's A revealed that there was a moderate level of intergenerational agreement on filial responsibility expectations.