Top

Published in:

01-06-2015 | Original Investigation

Bequest motives of older people in rural China: from the perspective of intergenerational support

Authors: Quanbao Jiang, Xiaomin Li, Marcus W. Feldman

Published in: European Journal of Ageing | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

China, a society long characterized by traditional Confucianism and the practice of filial piety, is undergoing dramatic socioeconomic development and erosion of traditions. In this rapidly changing context, the motives behind rural parental bequests have not been well studied. This paper draws on a survey conducted in rural Anhui province of China and uses hierarchical linear models to examine whether three kinds of support from children are associated with older parents’ bequest motives. We find that while instrumental support accords with an exchange model of motivation, financial transfer is consistent with an altruistic motivation for parental bequest plans. Offspring gender is strongly associated with parental planning of bequests; family division is a strong correlate of parents’ bequest plan and reflects exchange motivation. These findings have important implications for research on traditional culture and an evolving social security system.

Barbalet J (2014) Greater self, lesser self: dimensions of self-interest in Chinese filial piety. J Theor Soc Behav 44(2):186–205. doi:10.1111/jtsb.12037 CrossRef

Barro RJ (1974) Are government bonds net wealth? J Polit Econ 82(6):1095–1117. doi:10.1086/260266 CrossRef

Becker G (1974) A theory of social interactions. J Polit Econ 82(6):1063–1093CrossRef

Bernheim BD, Shleifer A, Summers LH (1985) The strategic bequest motive. J Polit Econ 93(6):1045–1076CrossRef

Caputo RK (2002) Adult daughters as parental caregivers: rational actors versus rational agents. J Fam Econ Issues 23(1):27–50. doi:10.1023/A:1014225613362 CrossRef

Chen X, Silverstein M (2000) Intergenerational social support and the psychological well-being of older parents in China. Res aging 22(1):43–65. doi:10.1177/0164027500221003 CrossRef

Chou RJA (2011) Perceived need and actual usage of the family support agreement in rural China: results from a nationally representative survey. The Gerontol 51(3):295–309. doi:10.1093/geront/gnq062 CrossRef

Clignet R (2009) Death, deeds, and descendents: inheritance in modern America. Transaction Books, Piscataway

Cong Z, Silverstein M (2008) Intergenerational time-for-money exchanges in rural China: does reciprocity reduce depressive symptoms of older grandparents? Res Hum Develop 5(1):6–25. doi:10.1080/15427600701853749 CrossRef

Cong Z, Silverstein M (2012) Caring for grandchildren and intergenerational support in rural China: a gendered extended family perspective. Ageing Soc 32(3):425–450. doi:10.1017/S0144686X11000420 CrossRef

Deutsch FM (2006) Filial piety, patrilineality, and China’s one-child policy. J Fam Issues 27(3):366–389. doi:10.1177/0192513X05283097 CrossRef

Gao Y (2005) Inheritance practices in Ping’an Village. Ph.D. Thesis, Renmin University of China. (in Chinese)

He X (2008) Change of generation relationship in rural households and its influence. Jianghai Acad J 28(2):108–113 (in Chinese)

Horioka CY (2014) Are Americans and Indians more altruistic than the Japanese and Chinese? Evidence from a new international survey of bequest plans. Rev Econ Househ 12(3):411–437. doi:10.1007/s11150-014-9252-y CrossRef

Huang Y (2012) Living needs of the rural areas of empty-nesters and social support based on the research of Xianhai District of Mianyang City. Master thesis, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. (in Chinese)

Hurd MD (2003) Bequests: by accident or by design? In: Munnell AH, Sundén A (eds) Death and dollars: the role of gifts and bequests in America. Brookings Institution Press, Washington, DC

Hurd M, Smith JP (2002) Expected bequests and their distribution (No. w9142). National Bureau of Economic Research. http://www.nber.org/papers/w9142.pdf. Accessed 10 Oct 2014

Izuhara M (2009) Housing, care and inheritance. Routledge, London

Jin X, Li S, Feldman M (2006) The effects of rural-urban migration on intergenerational financial transfer in China: a gender-based perspective. Population Association of America 2006 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles. http://paa2006.princeton.edu/papers/61454. Accessed 3 Sept 2014

Kalmijn M (2013) Long-term effects of divorce on parent-child relationships: within-family comparisons of fathers and mothers. Eur Sociol Rev 29(5):888–898. doi:10.1093/esr/jcs066 CrossRef

Kim K, Eggebeen DJ, Zarit SH, Birditt KS, Fingerman KL (2013) Agreement between aging parent’s bequest intention and middle-aged child’s inheritance expectation. Gerontologist 53(6):1020–1031. doi:10.1093/geront/gns147 CrossRef

Kohli M (2004) Intergenerational transfers and inheritance: a comparative view. Ann Rev Gerontol Geriatr 24(1): 266–289.http://www.eui.eu/documents/departmentscentres/sps/profiles/kohli/intergenerationaltransfersinheritance.pdf. Accessed 15 Dec 2013

Laitner J, Juster FT (1996) New evidence on altruism: a study of TIAA-CREF retirees. Am Econ Rev 86(4):893–908

Lei X, Sun X, Strauss J, Zhao Y, Yang G, Hu P, Yin X (2014) Health outcomes and socio-economic status among the mid-aged and elderly in China: evidence from the CHARLS national baseline data. J Econ Ageing 3:29–43. doi:10.1016/j.jeoa.2014.05.001 CrossRef

Li F, Ma L (2010) Rural disputes over bequests. Shandong Justice 26(4):45–48 (in Chinese)

Li H, Tracy MB (1999) Family support, financial needs, and health care needs of rural elderly in China: a field study. J Cross Cult Gerontol 14(4):357–371. doi:10.1023/A:607707655 CrossRef

Li H, Rosenzweig M, Zhang J (2010) Altruism, favoritism, and guilt in the allocation of family resources: Sophie’s choice in Mao’s Mass Send-Down Movement. J Polit Econ 118(1):1–38. doi:10.1086/650315 CrossRef

Liao S (2010) A review on elderly care needs and costs. Shandong Inst Bus Technol 34(3):96–99 (in Chinese)

Lin JP, Yi CC (2011) Filial norms and intergenerational support to aging parents in China and Taiwan. Int J Soc Welf 20(s1):S109–S120. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00824.x CrossRef

Luo B, Zhan H (2012) Filial piety and functional support: understanding intergenerational solidarity among families with migrated children in rural China. Ageing Int 37(1):69–92. doi:10.1007/s12126-011-9132-1 CrossRef

Lynch SM (2003) Missing date. https://www.princeton.edu/~slynch/soc504/missingdata.pdf. Accessed 3 Dec 2014

Mao W, Chi I (2011) Filial piety of children as perceived by aging parents in China. Int J Soc Welf 20(s1):S99–S108. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00826.x CrossRef

McGarry K (1999) Inter vivos transfers and intended bequests. J Public Econ 73(3):321–351. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00826.x CrossRef

McGranahan L (2006) Will writing and bequest motives: early 20th century Irish evidence (No. WP-06-18) http://www.chicagofed.org/digital_assets/publications/working_papers/2006/wp2006_18.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept 2013

Nauck B (2010) Intergenerational relationships and female inheritance expectations: comparative results from eight societies in Asia, Europe, and North America. J Cross Cult Psychol 41(5–6):690–705. doi:10.1177/0022022110375161 CrossRef

Population Census Office under the State Council (PCO) (2012) Tabulation on the 2010 population census of the People’s Republic of China. China Statistics Press, Beijing

Schwarz B, Trommsdorff G, Zheng G, Shi S (2010) Reciprocity in intergenerational support: a comparison of Chinese and German adult daughters. J Fam Issues 31(2):234–256. doi:10.1177/0192513X09347991

Shi R (2012) The elderly care issues in rural China and countermeasures. Popul J 32(1):44–51 (in Chinese)

Silverstein M, Conroy SJ, Wang H, Giarrusso R, Bengtson VL (2002) Reciprocity in parent-child relations over the adult life course. J Gerontol B 57(1):S3–S13. doi:10.1093/geronb/57.1.S3 CrossRef

Silverstein M, Cong Z, Li S (2006) Intergenerational transfers and living arrangements of older people in rural China: consequences for psychological well-being. J Gerontol B 61(5):S256–S266. doi:10.1093/geronb/61.5.S256 CrossRef

Song L (2008) A Study on Out-migration of Young Adults and Gender Division of Intergenerational Support of Rural Elderly in China. Ph.D. Thesis, Xi’an Jiaotong University. (in Chinese)

Wilhelm MO (1996) Bequest behavior and the effect of heirs’ earnings: testing the altruistic model of bequests. Am Econ Rev 86(4):874–892

Xie Y, Zhu H (2009) Do sons or daughters give more money to parents in urban China? J Marriage Fam 71(1):174–186. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00588.x CrossRef

Yang X (2013) Gender and intergenerational support in later life: a research of urban China and Japan based on case studies. J Polit Sci Sociol 18(3): 115–136. http://koara.lib.keio.ac.jp/xoonips/modules/xoonips/download.php/AA12117871-20130300-0115.pdf?file_id=70533. Accessed 5 Sept 2014

Yao Y (2005) Theories and practices of informal support: on the ageing problems and their coping methods in Beijing. Intellectual Property Press, Beijing (In Chinese)

Yao Y (2006) Old age support for rural empty-nesters in economically developed regions. Popul Res 30(6):38–45 (in Chinese)

Yin T (2010) Parent-child co-residence and bequest motives in China. China Econ Rev 21(4):521–531. doi:10.1016/j.chieco.2010.05.003 CrossRef

Zeng Y (2010) Research on elderly population, family, health and care needs/costs. Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

Zhan HJ, Montgomery RJ (2003) Gender and elder care in China: the influence of filial piety and structural constraints. Gender Soc 17(2):209–229. doi:10.1177/0891243202250734 CrossRef

Zhan HJ, Feng Z, Chen Z, Feng X (2011) The role of the family in institutional long-term care: cultural management of filial piety in China. Int J Soc Welf 20(s1):S121–S134. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00808.x CrossRef

Zheng X (2005) Family property division of modern countryside in the lawyer’s eyes—focusing on women’s actual status. J China Women’s Univ 17(5):12–16 (in Chinese)

Zimmer Z, Kwong J (2003) Family size and support of older adults in urban and rural China: current effect and future implications. Demography 40(1):23–44CrossRef

Zuo D, Wu Z, Li S (2011) Age and intergenerational exchange among older parents in rural China. Int J Soc Welf 20(s1):S30–S46. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00817.x CrossRef

Title: Bequest motives of older people in rural China: from the perspective of intergenerational support
Authors: Quanbao Jiang
Xiaomin Li
Marcus W. Feldman
Publication date: 01-06-2015
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: European Journal of Ageing / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1613-9372
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-014-0330-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Bequest motives of older people in rural China: from the perspective of intergenerational support

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2015

Models of long-term care use among older people with disabilities in Taiwan: institutional care, community care, live-in migrant care and family care

Information and communication technologies for informal carers and paid assistants: benefits from micro-, meso-, and macro-levels

Sleep duration and mortality among older adults in a 22-year follow-up study: an analysis of possible effect modifiers

Training in the functional movement circle to promote strength and mobility-related activities in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping options and loneliness: how are they related?

The role of cognitive resources for subjective work ability and health in nursing