Gender and Material Transfers Between Older Parents and Children in Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

In Egypt, kin relations have been governed by a patriarchal contract, which defines expectations for intergenerational support along gendered lines. Social changes may be disrupting these customs and bringing attention to the ways gender may influence intergenerational support in rapidly changing contexts. Using data from 4,465 parent–child dyads in Ismailia, Egypt, we examined whether intergenerational material transfers favored women over men and whether gaps in needs and endowments accounted for gender differences in transfers. Fathers gave children money and goods more often than did mothers; mothers received material transfers from children more often than did fathers. Compared to sons, daughters made transfers to parents less often and received transfers from parents more often. We found residual advantages to mothers and daughters, even adjusting for differential needs and endowments. Findings corroborate persistent norms of gender complementarity, patrilocal endogamy, and reciprocation for women’s caregiving, despite changes that have threatened patriarchal rules of exchange.

Inter-generational co-residence and women's work and leisure time in Egypt

“…Lane and Meleis (1991) describe how when a young married Egyptian woman moves in with her mother-in-law, "daughters-in-law grow very lean, and mothers-in-law grow plump in inverse proportion" (p. 1201). Norms of patriarchy are enforced by this system, as mothers are incentivized to build strong ties with sons, with the knowledge that someday those sons will marry, the son's wives will move into the house, and that daughter-in-law will be required to take over the bulk of responsibilities in the household and in caring for the mother as she ages (Yount et al 2012).…”

“…The patriarchal nature of Egyptian society leads to a high prevalence of intergenerational co-residence, where aging parents, especially mothers-in-law, live with their eldest son and daughter-in-law (Yount 2005;Yount et al 2012). The higher fertility regimes of the past distributed the stewardship of parents and senior kin among more offspring.…”

“…There is a growing body of research on intergenerational flows of care and resources, and old age disability in Egypt and the Middle East. Most of this research looks at the relationship between biological children and their own parents (Yount et al 2012). There is limited research on the impact of coresidence, care giving, and old-age disability on daughters-in-law.…”

Ageing and intergenerational family ties in Arab countries

“…Research from Egypt reveals that older parents and adult children maintain frequent contact, creating expectations of and opportunities for economic exchange by which older fathers are disproportionate givers and older mothers are disproportionate receivers of economic transfers (18).…”

“…However, the extended family in Arab societywhereby strong and highly gendered forms of co-residence and transfers remain between generations-has not yet completely dissolved. In Egypt, for example, older parents have a vested interest in continuing to support married daughters, who often live in the same neighbourhoods, village or building as their parents; and upward material transfers are expected from adult sons who remain a form of old-age insurance (18). In some countries, such as Qatar, institutional steps have been taken towards ensuring close familial residence, such as providing free housing on condition that extended families live in close proximity (19).…”