Intergenerational Living Arrangements in Myanmar and Thailand: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The present study compares living arrangements and related intergenerational support in Myanmar and Thailand based on recent national surveys of older persons in both countries and prior surveys in Thailand. The countries share relatively similar cultural contexts but differ radically in economic development. Substantially higher percentages of older persons in Myanmar currently coreside with their children and are considerably more likely to have non-coresident children living in the same locality. They are also less likely to live with a spouse and to have children living at a substantial distance. Older persons in Myanmar are much less likely to have phone contact with children living away and less likely to receive visits. Thai elders are considerably more likely to provide custodial care to grandchildren with absent parents and to live in skip generation households. Older Thais are also considerably more likely to receive substantial remittances from non-coresident children. The living arrangements of older age Thais in the past, however, more closely resembles the current situation in Myanmar. It appears that current differences are largely attributable to the more advanced Thai economic development through its associated impacts on migration, fertility and mortality. Contrasting political situations and government priorities also likely play a role. The results provide insights into the implications of development for older persons and suggest that if the recent course of political transformation and opening to the global economy continues in Myanmar, living arrangements there may well follow the trends in Thailand over past decades.

The social network index and its relation to later-life depression among the elderly aged ≥80 years in Northern Thailand

“…In Thai culture, parents, children, and grandchildren traditionally live together, and many elderly people retain a role of caregiver to their grandchildren within these intergenerational families. 32 Moreover, a recent study reported that such intergenerational families are common to countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam. 32 Many children may migrate to work outside their native province, for example, for career development, yet they can keep in touch with their parents due to the increasing use of mobile phones, as well as improved road access and transportation in Thailand.…”

Managing social support for childless older Malaysians who are poor

“…Some Asian countries too, experienced lower fertility rates as compared to a few decades ago. In Thailand for example, older people who were childless in 2011 was at 6 to 7 percent, doubling the figure from 1986 (Knodel & Pothisiri, 2015).…”

Gender boundary negotiation within the U.S. immigrant/refugee resettlement : how transnational bridge-building matters.

“…The extended family unit typically consists of the older couple, sons, their wives and families, and unmarried daughters. Living arrangements and related intergenerational support are essentially relationships based on specific duties and responsibilities (Bowen 2002, Joseph 2000, Knodel 2015, Newcomb 2009, Rugh 1984. In some 17 As an ethical strategy to protect the study subjects' confidentiality, brief profiles of gender boundaries are outlined in general terms within geographic regions that include countries where they originate from rather than providing a description of how gender roles looked like in each specific country of origin.…”

“…areas, such as the Middle East, ethnic relations often contributed to survivalist mentality among the minorities (Rugh 1984); and in some areas such as Southeastern Asia, although parents treasure their daughters, they favor their sons (Knodel 2015).…”

“…In her homeland, the institution of family is essentially a relationship based on specific duties and responsibilities. Women are expected to help with household chores and take care of their aged parents more than men (Knodel 2015).…”