Becoming a Self-reliant Elder: Fading Intergenerational Reciprocity and Pursuing Active Aging among Middle-class Seniors in Urban China

Abstract

The aging population is China’s most daunting challenge of the coming decades and has brought about profound consequences for Chinese society. Drawing upon the ethnographic work conducted in Guangzhou city from 2020 to 2023, the present study aims to show some most recent development regarding intergenerational reciprocity among older adults’ aging experience in urban China. The ethnographic accounts reveal the emergence of a concept termed “self-reliant elders” (省心老人), which represents a departure from traditional cultural norms that emphasize grandchild care as the primary source of psychological and economic well-being for the elderly. Instead, these individuals prioritize independence in their later years and actively seek alternatives to family care, such as engaging in social activities and pursuing employment, to maintain a sense of being cared for and to uphold their self-worth. Concurrently, they also invest efforts in fostering harmonious relationships with younger generations through family-oriented activities and online communication. As China faces the challenges posed by its aging population, it becomes crucial to implement practical measures that enhance access to elderly care resources and support the self-reliance of older adults in order to address the emerging trend of aging.