Intergenerational Coresidence and Nearness in Korea and Japan: Unbalanced Aspects of Family Changes

Abstract

This study aims to explain similarity and difference in geographic proximity between elderly parents and their children in Korea and Japan. Using data sets from two nationally representative surveys conducted in Korea and Japan, this study examines the extent t o which needs and kinship of elderly parents and regional constraints influence intergenerational coresidence and nearness.Results highlight a complex feature of intergenerational relationship in Korea and Japan. Advanced economic and health conditions of Korean elderly parents increase the likelihood of living with children. For Japanese elderly parents, however, coresidence with children is significantly likely t o occur in response t o their disadvantaged economic status. These results suggest that the elderly Korean are more likely than the elderly Japanese t o lack not only economic and health resources but also opportunities in obtaining family support in a time of need.Characteristics of children, however, show a similar trend between the two societies. Both societies maintain a strong son preference for extended family living arrangement. Eldest children in both societies are more likely than their siblings to live with or near elderly parents. However, children of younger cohorts in both societies are significantly more likely than those of older cohorts t o maintain a disperse geographic network indicating a significant change in family attitude among different cohorts.Finally, this study finds a more disperse family network among rural elderly parents than urban elderly parents in both societies reflecting the fact that massive rural-to-urban migration of young population has contributed to geographic segregation of kinship in these societies.

Intergenerational Exchanges of Middle‐Aged Adults With Their Parents and Parents‐In‐Law in Korea

“…We assessed geographic distance from parents and parents‐in‐law on a 6‐point spatial scale: 0 (live together), 1 (within the same neighborhood), 2 (within the same city), 3 (within the same province), 4 (in different province), and 5 (live overseas). This ordinal scale for geographic distance from relatives reflects how people in Korea experience geographic distance (Park, Kim, & Kojima, ).…”