Living arrangements of the elderly in Singapore: Cultural norms in transition

Mehta, Kalyani; Osman, Mohd Maliki; Alexander, Lee E. Y.

doi:10.1007/bf00972033

Cited by 48 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…First, policies that aim to directly a¤ect living arrangements need to be carefully designed. The Singaporean government, for example, has introduced housing tax incentives to promote intergenerational coresidence and to maintain the traditional social structure (Mehta et al, 1995). My results raise a concern that such policies may result in an unintended adverse e¤ect on parental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Inter Vivos Health Transfers: Final Days of Japanese Elderly Parents

Maruyama

2012

SSRN Journal

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Empirical evidence of the e¤ect of intergenerational coresidence by elderly parents and their adult children on parental health remains inconclusive. This study provides a new estimate of the coresidence e¤ect by addressing non-random selection and heterogeneity in the treatment e¤ect, and investigates why coresidence can be detrimental. Studying Japanese data reveals a negative coresidence e¤ect on the treated. I argue that coresidence may worsen parental health because care burdens on children create disincentives for parents to invest in their longevity. The results support this theory: ceteris paribus, the coresidence e¤ect is negatively associated with coresidence burdens such as disability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Inter Vivos Health Transfers: Final Days of Japanese Elderly Parents

Maruyama

2012

SSRN Journal

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“…Cultures also differ in their interpretations of the aging process and thus in the way in which they view older persons (Ingersoll-Dayton, Saengtienchai, Kespichayawattana, & Aungsuroch, 2001). In cultures where older persons are considered repositories of religious teachings and beliefs, e.g., among the Malays in Malaysia and Singapore, the probability that their social status is preserved is higher (Mehta, Osman, & Lee, 1995;Seth, 2002). In cultures where youth and economic success are considered priorities, older adults are often left without roles and this may result in negative outcomes, such as the high suicide rates among older Chinese males in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore (Lau & Pritchard, 2001).…”

Section: Societal Economic Demographic and Cultural Factorsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Aging in Southeast and East Asia: Issues and Policy Directions

Chan

2006

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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Population aging is unique in Asia given the speed at which it is occurring and the immense social and economic changes that the region is experiencing at the same time. Compared to their Western counterparts, Asian governments have much less time to prepare for population aging. Asian countries that have traditionally relied on family-based support for older family members are worried that increased numbers of older adults may stress these family systems. At the same time, information concerning the effectiveness of formal programs for older adults is scarce. This paper reviews current research on informal support versus formal support of older adults in Southeast and East Asia, with a larger aim of assessing the current well-being of older Asians and suggesting areas of policy concern. Current research reveals that formal programs in the majority of Southeast and East Asian countries have very low coverage of today's older adults, and the figures for future generations are not that much higher. However, family support of older persons may not be deteriorating as predicted by modernization theory. Asian families continue to play a major role in supporting older members, thus policies should focus on enabling Asian families to provide this support.

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“…First, policies that aim to directly affect living arrangements need to be carefully designed. The Singaporean government, for example, has introduced housing tax incentives to promote intergenerational coresidence and to maintain the traditional social structure (Mehta et al, 1995). My results raise a concern that such policies may result in an unintended adverse effect on parental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

The effect of coresidence on parental health in Japan

Maruyama

2015

Journal of the Japanese and International Economies

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The elderly in Japan Non-random selection Heterogeneous treatment effects Factor structure model Demand for longevity a b s t r a c t Maruyama, Shiko-The effect of coresidence on parental health in JapanThe empirical evidence of the effect of intergenerational coresidence by elderly parents and their adult children on parental health remains inconclusive. This study provides a new estimate of the coresidence effect by addressing non-random selection and heterogeneity in the treatment effect. Examination of Japanese data reveals: (i) an insignificant, negative average coresidence effect; (ii) a significant, negative coresidence effect on the treated; and (iii) that parents with unmet care needs and limited resources, typically widowed, disabled mothers, are most likely to suffer from a significant, negative coresidence effect. The results support the theory that coresidence may worsen elderly parents' health because care burdens on their adult children create disincentives for the parents to invest in longevity. The significant heterogeneity in the coresidence effect suggests potential scope for a bettertargeted long-term care program.

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Living arrangements of the elderly in Singapore: Cultural norms in transition

Cited by 48 publications

References 2 publications

Inter Vivos Health Transfers: Final Days of Japanese Elderly Parents

Inter Vivos Health Transfers: Final Days of Japanese Elderly Parents

Aging in Southeast and East Asia: Issues and Policy Directions

The effect of coresidence on parental health in Japan

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