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From Tradition to Transformation: How to Provide Long-Term Care to the Elderly People in China?

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Solidarity Across Generations

Part of the book series: Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law ((GSCL,volume 49))

Abstract

Under the background of aging, how to provide affordable and sustainable geriatric care services in China has become a crucial issue with social concern. Chinese society has been continuing the tradition of family support for the elderly, which was formed in the long history of agricultural society, based on filial piety culture and big family structure. However, due to the industrialization process since the reform and opening up, a large number of laborers leave the countryside and enter the city. With the influence of the one-child policy, the structure of the Chinese family has changed fundamentally, that is, the small family has become the main form. While the risk of aging accumulates, the state has become the legal subject to provide elderly care, but the specific obligations in practice are still unclear. Long-term care insurance should be the way to provide geriatric care services, and pilot reforms have been carried out in some cities. In the future, the long-term care insurance will be affected by China’s massive demand for geriatric care, the limited financial capacity of the state and the family tradition of caring the aged, which all together will build the long-term care system with Chinese characteristics.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Li (2015).

  2. 2.

    Zhang and Goza (2006), Lu et al. (2015), Gu et al. (2009), Zhang et al. (2012), Woo et al. (2002) and Lu et al. (2017).

  3. 3.

    Stuifbergen and Van Delden (2011).

  4. 4.

    Seeborga et al. (2000).

  5. 5.

    Woo et al. (2002).

  6. 6.

    Pan (2009).

  7. 7.

    Yang (2007), p. 50.

  8. 8.

    Yao (2001), p. 112.

  9. 9.

    Ikels (1993), p. 123; Sher (1984).

  10. 10.

    Zhang et al. (2014).

  11. 11.

    Luo and Zhan (2012).

  12. 12.

    Wang (2015).

  13. 13.

    Zhong and Li (2016), p. 51.

  14. 14.

    Zhang (2009).

  15. 15.

    Zhong and Li (2016), p. 53.

  16. 16.

    Yang (2007), p. 50.

  17. 17.

    Buhui (2016), p. 168.

  18. 18.

    Liu (2016), p. 121.

  19. 19.

    Ding (2003), p. 38.

  20. 20.

    Fang et al. (2009).

  21. 21.

    Zhang and Liu (2010).

  22. 22.

    Xin (2012).

  23. 23.

    Liu (2006), pp. 100–108.

  24. 24.

    Li (2012), pp. 145–159.

  25. 25.

    Sun (1998) and Flaherty et al. (2007).

  26. 26.

    Giles et al. (2010).

  27. 27.

    Lin (2011), p. 62.

  28. 28.

    Pu (2016), pp. 15–20.

  29. 29.

    Yang et al. (2010) and Xue (2012).

  30. 30.

    Li (1999).

  31. 31.

    Gu and Vlosky (2008), pp. 52–84.

  32. 32.

    Lu et al. (2017), Deng and Deng (2007) and Yang (2017).

  33. 33.

    Wang et al. (2018).

  34. 34.

    Chi (2019).

  35. 35.

    Zheng (2018).

  36. 36.

    Pan et al. (2017).

  37. 37.

    Zhang (2012), pp. 99–102.

  38. 38.

    Wang (2018), pp. 26–30.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Department of Social Law, Beijing, China

    Tianyu Wang

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  1. Tianyu Wang
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Correspondence to Tianyu Wang .

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  1. Center for Comparative Labour and Social Security Law (COMPTRASEC, UMR 5114), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Eri Kasagi

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Wang, T. (2020). From Tradition to Transformation: How to Provide Long-Term Care to the Elderly People in China?. In: Kasagi, E. (eds) Solidarity Across Generations. Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law, vol 49. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50547-9_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50547-9_13

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