Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Canadian Journal on Aging
Publication Date
9-2015
Volume
34
Issue
3
First Page
290
Last Page
304
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Keywords
aging, aging population, China, family structure, family support
Abstract
The People's Republic of China has the largest population of older persons of any country in the world. It is a nation that has experienced enormous economic, social, and demographic changes over the past three and a half decades. Traditionally, the family was the main social support for older persons; this changed somewhat under early socialism, but in recent years, the importance of family support has been reasserted. However, over this time, the family's ability to support its older members has been considerably altered and arguably weakened. This article reviews four key issues (population change, the hukou system, economic reform, general features surrounding modernization) that have gradually changed families' capacity to provide support for older members. Research foci and public policy directions are considered under which the state might take some responsibilities from the family, support capacity to care, and improve the quality and quantity of support for older citizens.
DOI
10.1017/S0714980815000203
Print ISSN
07149808
E-ISSN
17101107
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2015 Cambridge University Press
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Accepted Author Manuscript
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Phillips, D. R. & Feng, Z. (2015). Challenges for the aging family in the People's Republic of China. Canadian Journal on Aging, 34(3), 290-304. doi: 10.1017/S0714980815000203
