2026 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 01-11
This study analyzes the ethical transformation and strategies of elderly care in rural China after the implementation of the one-child policy, using a case study of L Village in Anhui Province. The reduction in family size has weakened the traditional “son-centered support” model, and particularly in families under the “1.5-child policy,” daughters are increasingly participating in elderly care. This study categorizes different family types (only child, one son and one daughter, two daughters, three daughters, and multiple children) and examines the division of financial burdens, caregiving responsibilities, and the selection of the funeral host ( 孝子 )．
First, caregivers are expanding from sons to daughters and sons-in-law. In families with only daughters, the “ 招婿 ” (marrying-in son-in-law) strategy is adopted. Additionally, a new practice of assigning grandchildren different surnames from both paternal and maternal sides is emerging to distribute caregiving responsibilities across generations．
Second, filial ethics have become more pragmatic, shifting from traditional “ 孝道 ” (filial piety) to a more individual-centered approach. Many elderly individuals wish to reduce their dependence on their children, but pensions and medical insurance still play only a supplementary role, leaving children’s financial and caregiving support indispensable．
Third, the selection of the funeral host has also changed. While sons traditionally served this role, daughters are increasingly taking on the responsibility in son-absent households. However, ancestral rites and funeral traditions still prioritize male heirs, requiring flexible adaptation．
This study empirically demonstrates the transformation of elderly care ethics in rural China and highlights the evolving roles of families and institutional responses. Further comparative research with urban areas and Japanese family support models is necessary for a deeper understanding.
