Resource Allocation in Families With Children in Taiwan: Do Poverty and Family Structure Make a Difference?

Abstract

Using the 2008 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, this article examines resource allocation among families with children in Taiwan, with attention to poverty and family structure. The findings illustrated that families with poverty-level incomes faced more disadvantages than high-income families. Families in poverty allocated significantly more of their income to food and less to health. In addition, compared to nuclear families, grandparent-only families spent less on education, and extended families allocated more of their resources to food and health and less to education. Policy implications are discussed.

A study of non-government child welfare services in Taiwan focused on children in need of child welfare service intervention

“…This reflects the emphasis in Taiwanese on education as premier for children's future and the importance of their independence (Chang, 2009;Hwang, 2012;Stankov, 2010). In current Taiwanese society, many children living in poor families have significant difficulties attending school or maintaining their school enrolment (C.-C. Huang & Ku, 2012). Without suitable educational attainment for the Taiwanese job market, these children may remain in poverty in the future.…”

“…Although there is limited research on this topic in Taiwan, evidence suggests that around 8% of families are living in poverty and require social assistance, such as allowance and medical support, from government or non-government sectors (Chang, 2009;C.-C. Huang & Ku, 2012). These disadvantaged children are living in families affected by a range of issues such as unemployment, employment in low income jobs, and health concerns (Chang, 2009;C.-C. Huang & Ku, 2012 Taiwanese context and this study will begin an exploration of the structure and features of the child protection system from the perspective of NGO agencies.…”