Family Structure and Intergenerational Support in Contemporary China

Using large sample surveys and statistical methods, this book examines Chinese family structure and family caregiving for the elderly.

The author examines a variety of issues, such as the miniaturization and nuclearization of the family, the reasons why multi-generational families still exist in contemporary China, gender differences and family networks in family living arrangements, the influence of empty nest living on the elderly, the promotion of daughters’ support function for the elderly, the basis or conditions on which the family supports the elderly, the impact of reciprocal intergenerational support on the subjective well-being of the elderly, the changing concept of filial piety, and the transformation of intergenerational relations.

The book will appeal to scholars and students of family sociology and China studies.

Author Biography

Qi Xu is currently a professor at School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University. His research interests include marriage and family, social demography, social stratification, and quantitative methods.