Race Differences in Filial Responsibility Expectations among Older Parents

• Published in: Journal of marriage and family Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 404 - 412
• Main Authors: Lee, Gary R., Peek, Chuck W., Coward, Raymond T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden National Council on Family Relations 01-05-1998; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; African American Culture; Ageing; Aging (Individuals); Aging problems. Death; Black people; Black White Differences; Children; Collectivism; Cultural Differences; Culture; Descendants; Evidence; Family; Filial Responsibility; Intergenerational Relations; Older adults; Parenthood; Parents; Parents & parenting; Poverty; Race; Single status; Social Networks; Social norms; Social Support Groups; Socioeconomic Status; Sociology; Sociology of the family. Age groups; White people; Whites; United States Of America; Adult Child; Afro-American; Parent; Elderly person; Whites; Social Service; Socio-demographic factor; Responsability; Race; Comparative analysis; Expectation; Differentiation; Aid; Culture
• ISSN: 0022-2445; 1741-3737
• DOI: 10.2307/353857

This study examines race differences in the extent to which older parents believe that parents are entitled to support from their children. Bivariate analyses show that Blacks have higher filial responsibility expectations than do Whites, and the difference is only marginally attenuated by controls for sociodemographic and other factors. The results provide tentative evidence of a cultural difference between Blacks and Whites, which is consistent with differences in observed levels of support from children and other descendants. In addition, neither higher expectations for assistance from children nor higher levels of actual assistance appear to deter parents in need from utilizing formal service providers.