Do State Benefits Impact on Intergenerational Family Support? The Case of Taiwan

Abstract

In Western countries, the social security system provides the main source of income for the majority of older people. However, in many Asian countries, the family is still the most important mechanism for providing income security for older people. Arguably, the difference between Western and Asian countries is a result of cultural background and economic development. This paper examines these assumptions and suggests that cultural and economic factors are insufficient in explaining the difference between Western and Asian countries. Using Taiwan as a

Separate but Near: Senior Parents’ Living Arrangement and Married Women’s Employment in South Korea

“…In return, employed wives can bring economic resources to the three-generational households. Results of empirical research appear to be consistent with this idea of an inter-generational exchange system in Japan (Oishi and Oshio, 2006), Taiwan (Fu, 2008), Hong Kong (Wong and Chau, 2006), Singapore (Phua and Loh, 2008) and South Korea (Sung and Chah, 2001). Married women are more likely to participate in the labour market when they live together with their parents or parents-in-law.…”

Do social allowance transfers crowd out private transfers? An analysis of responses among elderly households in Taiwan

“…(2001), Chan et al. (2002) and Fu (2008) have made important contributions toward explaining the public–private tradeoffs among elderly households in Taiwan.…”

Who Deserves to Work? How Women Develop Expectations of Child Care Support in Korea

“…Explanations include work expectations developed prior to motherhood (Damaske 2011; Davis and Greenstein 2009), workforce opportunities and constraints (Gerson 1985; Stone 2007), the amount of support from domestic partners (Hochschild and Machung 2012), and the lack of availability of formal and informal child care (Bianchi and Milkie 2010; Dimova and Wolff 2008; Haan and Wrohlich 2011; Leibowitz, Klerman, and Waite 1992). Grandmothers’ help is one of the main forms of informal child care and, particularly in East Asia, is seen as the most important resource enabling mothers to keep working (Fu 2008; Y.-S. Lee 2011; Oishi and Oshio 2006). However, because studies have predominantly focused on the static relationship between child care support and women’s employment status, the process by which mothers negotiate this key support has been a black box.…”

“…While both factors may play a role, I argue that expectations about motherhood are negotiated with families after birth and shape the process of seeking and receiving help. Kin-based child care support is often positively related to mothers’ full-time employment (Fu 2008; Leibowitz, Klerman, and Waite 1992; Oishi and Oshio 2006). How do women develop their expectations and negotiate for this support?…”