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Giving help in return: family reciprocity by older Singaporeans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2008

LOIS M. VERBRUGGE  and
ANGELIQUE CHAN
LOIS M. VERBRUGGE*
Affiliation:
Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
ANGELIQUE CHAN
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
*
Address for correspondence: Lois M. Verbrugge, Institute of Gerontology, 300 North Ingalls, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-2007, United States. E-mail: verbrugg@umich.edu.
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Abstract

Reciprocity is a powerful principle in social ties. The ethos of family reciprocity is especially strong in Asian societies. We study contemporaneous family exchanges, hypothesising that the more current help older Singaporeans receive from family, the more they give in return. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken of data from two national Singapore surveys conducted in 1995 and 1999. The help received by older people is measured by income and cash support, payment of household expenses by others, having a companion for away-from-home activities, and having a principal carer. The help given by older people is measured by baby-sitting, doing household chores, giving financial help to children, and advising on family matters. Multivariate models are used to examine the factors that affect an older person's ability and willingness to give help. The results show that the more financial support Singapore seniors received from kin, the more baby-sitting and chores they provided. In their swiftly modernising society, Singapore seniors are maintaining family reciprocity by giving time in return for money. We discuss how during the coming decades, reciprocity in Southeast and East Asian societies may shift from instrumental to more affective behaviours.

Keywords

elderly peoplereciprocityhelpfamilyintergenerational transferSingaporesocial exchangeSoutheast Asia
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 5 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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