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The power of culture: the gendered impact of family structures and living arrangements on social networks of Chinese older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2020

Menghan Zhao Open the ORCID record for Menghan Zhao [Opens in a new window] ,
Fan Yang Open the ORCID record for Fan Yang [Opens in a new window]  and
Youlang Zhang Open the ORCID record for Youlang Zhang [Opens in a new window]
Menghan Zhao
Affiliation:
Population Development Studies Center, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Fan Yang*
Affiliation:
Population Development Studies Center, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Youlang Zhang
Affiliation:
Beijing Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China Center for Social Governance Innovation, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
*
*Corresponding author. Email: yangfand@163.com
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Abstract

Most of the extant literature on the fertility history and social networks of older adults has focused on advanced societies. Nevertheless, a limited number of studies have explored how culturally preferred family structures or living arrangements are related to older adults’ social networks in developing societies. This study examined these issues in the Chinese context and paid particular attention to the filial piety and preference for sons dominating Chinese society. Using nationally representative data of adults aged 60 and over from China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey in 2016, we constructed family and friend network scores following previous studies and developed linear models using multiple imputation for the missing data. The results suggested that childless older adults were the most disadvantaged in receiving support from family networks. Despite China's patrilineal culture, daughters were important sources of support. In terms of friend networks, older men who had no sons were least likely to receive support while co-residing with a partner and a son(s) might benefit them. Further analysis revealed that older rural women, but not older urban women, also had more support from friend networks if living with sons, implying urban–rural differences. Given the impact of social networks on older adults’ health and wellbeing, older Chinese people with no sons might need more support from other sources, such as aged-care programmes from public institutions, to achieve healthy ageing.

Keywords

number of childrenliving arrangementspreference for sonssocial networksChinese older adults
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 42 , Issue 3 , March 2022 , pp. 657 - 680
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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