Transition and continuation: A typological study of intergenerational relationships in Chinese families

Abstract

In contrast to the intergenerational relations of families in the West, Chinese families emphasize mutual support and care among family members and consider parenting and filial duty a continuous process. Based on the typology of intergenerational relations in Western countries, this study constructs an analytical framework for Chinese families consisting of two dimensions: living arrangements and functional exchange. On this basis, it also proposes four potential types of intergenerational relationship: tight-knit, instrumental, independent, and parental support. Using a latent class analysis of nationally representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study data helped us understand the different forms of intergenerational relationship and have a better understanding of their development trends. Several things can be learned from the findings. The significant share of the instrumental type and the emergence of the independent and parental support types indicate a change in intergenerational relationships in contemporary China. Although the traditional tight-knit type is no longer the dominant model, close intergenerational linkages are maintained through the instrumental and parental support types, and almost half of parents continue to have a close relationship with their children. This indicates that parenting and filial duty are preserved, reflecting the continuation of intergenerational relationships. The study also found that the type of intergenerational relationship is significantly influenced by the socioeconomic statuses of offspring and parents, indicating the reproduction of social inequality.