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Chinese Older Adults Taking Care of Grandchildren: Practices and Policies for Productive Aging

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Abstract

Older adults around the world provide care and support for their family, relatives, and friends. This not only generates immense economic and social value, but is also an important aspect of productive aging. This paper analyzes data from the 2005 Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS), the 2008 Chinese Residents’ Time Use Survey, and a study conducted by the author (Sun Popul J 4:14–18, 2006). In rural China, because the young labor force works in cities, a large number of “left-behind children” live with their grandparents. Such cross-generational families made up over a quarter of rural households in 2005. In the cross-generational family, the role and value of caregiving for grandchildren by elderly grandparents has been strengthened, as has the burden of care placed upon them. Based on an analysis of the policies and practices of productive aging, this paper seeks to raise awareness of the enormous caregiving contributions made by older adults. Collecting information on older adult caregiving will help inform a policy framework to provide professional and systematic support, so that family and social care systems can operate effectively.

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Notes

  1. Jointly proposed by Organization Department, CCCPC; Publicity Department, CCCPC; United Front Work Department, CCCPC; Ministry of Personnel; Ministry of Science and Technology; Ministry of Labor and Social Security; General Politics Department of PLA and China Society and Technology Association. Forwarded by the General Office of the Communist Party and the General Office of State Council

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Gerontology, Population and Development Research Center, Renmin University of China, 59 Zhongguancun Ave, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100872

    Juanjuan Sun

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  1. Juanjuan Sun
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Correspondence to Juanjuan Sun.

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Sun, J. Chinese Older Adults Taking Care of Grandchildren: Practices and Policies for Productive Aging. Ageing Int 38, 58–70 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9161-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9161-4

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