The socio-economic and Health Differences in Parents' Provision of Help to Adult Children: A British-USA Comparison

TitleThe socio-economic and Health Differences in Parents' Provision of Help to Adult Children: A British-USA Comparison
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsHenretta, JC, Grundy, EMD, Harris, S
JournalAgeing and Society
Volume22
Issue4
Pagination441-458
KeywordsAdult children, Demographics, Health Conditions and Status
Abstract

Transfers of assistance from older to younger family members are an important, though often ignored, component of intergenerational exchanges. The ability to help younger family members, either financially or practically, may be influenced by the health and socio-economic status of older parents, but very little is known about these patterns. This article examines the effects of socio-economic and health status on the help that late mid-life parents in Britain and the United States give their children with money, domestic tasks, and grandchild care. Results for the different types of family support yield three main findings. First, there are relatively few differences between Britain and the USA in the factors affecting the provision of support. Secondly, socio-economic factors appear to be more important among married respondents while health is more important among the unmarried. Thirdly, children's co-residence has greater effects on the provision of domestic task help in Britain than in the United States.

DOI10.1017/S0144686X02008735
Endnote Keywords

Family/Health/Socioeconomic Differences/Transfers

Endnote ID

8558

Citation Key6804