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Intergenerational solidarity and old-age support for the social inclusion of elders in Mainland China: the changing roles of family and government

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2012

PENG DU
PENG DU*
Affiliation:
Institute of Gerontology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
*
Address for correspondence: Du Peng, Institute of Gerontology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China. E-mail: dupeng@ruc.edu.cn
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Abstract

China's population has been ageing rapidly since the 1980s, with 178 million older persons (60 years or over) in 2010 and 450 million expected by 2050. The sheer size of the ageing population means that there is an urgent need to tackle ageing issues and improve social policies in order to achieve intergenerational solidarity, sustainable development and a harmonious society. This paper will summarise the issues and debates in the past decade on social exclusion and discuss the progress of policies and practices with respect to social inclusion. The focus of discussion will be on (a) ways to improve the social security system so as to achieve a better balance of formal and informal supports, (b) development of community services for meeting the needs of older people living alone or having special needs in daily living, and (c) new initiatives for balancing formal support and filial piety, taking into account the younger generation's expectation that in order to maintain the important role of filial piety in modern China, the ability to fulfil filial obligations must be supported by the development of formal support beyond the family. In addition, some emerging issues and challenges will also be discussed.

Keywords

ageingsocial inclusionolder peoplefilial pietyfamilyChina
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 33 , Issue 1: Ageing and Social Inclusion/Exclusion , January 2013 , pp. 44 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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