Gender Differences in Intergenerational Relationships in Contemporary Urban China

Abstract

Using nationwide survey data from the China Family Panel Studies (2016), we examined gender differences in intergenerational relationships between adult children and their parents in urban Chinese families. This survey collected information on a household basis, which enabled us to explore the gender gap within individual couples instead of the general gender gap between men and women, as in previous studies. The results show that husbands co-reside with their parents five times more as compared to wives. Furthermore, gender differences differ according to various aspects of intergenerational relationships. In terms of household chores and personal care, husbands are more likely to maintain a mutually supportive relationship with their own parents compared to wives; nonetheless, wives are more likely to have more frequent contact with their parents compared to husbands. Regression models show that education can arguably be an important parameter that influences gender differences in intergenerational relations. Higher education—especially that of the wife—significantly contributes to gender equality in intergenerational relations, indicating that women’s access to resources is an essential stimulus for a gender-neutral intergenerational relationship.