Intergenerational family relations in reform China: Background and context

Obligated to Care: Intergenerational Family Relations in Contemporary China , as the title suggests, reveals the complex character of and variations within families in present-day China. In doing so it not only internationalises sociology through its focus on China, but also extends social science analysis through contributors’ application of diverse methodologies and perceptive conceptualisations in developing five discrete themes: namely, the eclipse of tradition in family structure and relations, grandparental contributions to family labour migration, queering intergenerational family relations, positive and negative consequences of family life on children, and the impact of family social capital on intergenerational care provision. This lead article provides an historical and conceptual framework for understanding Chinese family structures. It explains how their characteristic intergenerational relations result largely from underdeveloped state welfare provision, low fertility and high female labour force participation. Differences in family structure and relations of care, it is shown, result from variation in household formation and property-class inequality.