Children's Migration Decisions and Elderly Support in China: Evidences from CHARLS Pilot Data

Meng Tian

Author information


China Center for Economic Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

E-mail: caroltianmeng@pku.edu.cn


Abstract


The purpose of this paper is to explain the determinants of migration in China with special concern for elderly support based on evidences from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) pilot data. We find parents’ needs for care significantly affect adult children’s participation in migrant labor market. Joint family decisions have also been made among adult siblings as far as elderly support is concerned. Different patterns of migrant labor force participation in Zhejiang and Gansu provinces largely reflect the differences between their respective migrant labor markets. Understanding of these new patterns of China’s internal migration helps policy makers in China and other developing counties formulate effective social policies, and consequently, a more appropriate urbanization path.


Keywords


migration , elderly support , joint family decisions , China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)


Cite this article


Meng Tian. Children's Migration Decisions and Elderly Support in China: Evidences from CHARLS Pilot Data. Front Econ Chin, 2012, 7(1): 122‒140 https://doi.org/10.3868/s060-001-012-0006-4


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