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Abstract

Guided by the assumption that the preferences for a particular type of living arrangement are influenced by values of privacy and the level of needs/resources among the elderly, this study investigates how the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the Korean elderly are associated with their preferences for independent living over coresidence with their children. A logit model analysis is conducted based on data from the 1994 Survey on the Living Status of Korean Elderly. The major findings are: (1) contrary to common belief, the rural elderly are more likely to prefer independent living than the urban elderly, (2) provided that elderly parents have financial resources, those in poor health are more likely than those in fair health to prefer separate residence from their children, and (3) the absence of a son increases the likelihood of preferring independent living over coresidence. The implications of these findings for current Korean policy promoting coresidence and for studies of living arrangements of the elderly are discussed.

Living arrangements and suicidal ideation among the Korean older adults

“…For example, the percentage of elderly living alone increased ten-fold from 1960 to 2010: 3% to 31% for females, and 1% to 11% for males (Park & Kim 2015). Kim and Rhee (1997) also showed that older Koreans who are economically independent prefer living in separate residences to co-residing with their children. Although there is a cultural shift towards independent living among older adults, the economic resources of Korean older adults are quite limited.…”

Intergenerational Exchanges of Middle‐Aged Adults With Their Parents and Parents‐In‐Law in Korea

“…In recent decades, Korea has undergone rapid demographic (e.g., low fertility and aging population) and socioeconomic (e.g., increased women's labor force participation) transitions that have challenged cultural traditions of intergenerational exchange (Chang & Song, 2010;Park et al, 2005). Studies have documented a substantial decline in patrilineal coresidence of Korean parents with eldest son and his family (C.-S. Kim & Rhee, 1997). Recent studies also report that the number of married couples who live close to the wife's parents and get daily assistance with child care is increasing, particularly for dual-earner couples (S. Choi, Lee, & Kim, 2003).…”

Living Alone among Older Persons in Uganda: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…Trends of older persons living alone have steadily increased (Hays and George 2002 ; Kramarow 1995 ; Zsembik 1993 ). Studies have documented that improvement in the housing structure (Schafer 1999 ), need for privacy in later years (Portacolone and Halpern 2014 ), departure of adult children due to marriages, widowhood and divorces are associated with living alone in later years (Gibler et al 1998 ; Kim and Rhee 1997 ; Wolf 1995 ). For example in Japan, 15% of older persons were living alone in 2005 (NIA 2017 ).…”