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Intergenerational Transfers in the Era of HIV/AIDS: Evidence from Rural Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Iliana Kohler

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Hans-Peter Kohler

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Phil Anglewicz

    (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

  • Jere Behrman

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Background: Intergenerational transfer patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly understood, despite the alleged importance of support networks to ameliorate the complex implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for families. Objective: There is a considerable need for research on intergenerational support networks and transfers to better understand the mechanisms through which extended families cope with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and potentially alleviate some of ist consequences in sub-Saharan Africa, and to comprehend how transfers respond—or not—to perceptions about own and other family members’ health. Methods: Using the 2008 round of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH), we estimate the age patterns and the multiple directions of financial and non-financial transfer flows in rural Malawi - from prime-aged respondents to their elderly parents and adult children age 15 and up. We also estimate the social, demographic and economic correlates of financial and non-financial transfers of financial intergenerational transfers in this context. Results: Our findings are that: (1) intergenerational financial and non-financial transfers are widespread and a key characteristic of family relationships in rural Malawi; (2) downward and upward transfers are importantly constrained and determined by the availability of transfer partners (parents or adult children); (3) financial net transfers are strongly age-patterned and the middle generations are net-providers of transfers; (4) non-financial transfers are based on mutual assistance rather than reallocation of resources; and (5) intergenerational transfers are generally not related to health status, including HIV positive status.

Suggested Citation

  • Iliana Kohler & Hans-Peter Kohler & Phil Anglewicz & Jere Behrman, 2012. "Intergenerational Transfers in the Era of HIV/AIDS: Evidence from Rural Malawi," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 27(27), pages 775-834.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:27:y:2012:i:27
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2012.27.27
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. De Neve, Jan-Walter & Fink, Günther, 2018. "Children’s education and parental old age survival – Quasi-experimental evidence on the intergenerational effects of human capital investment," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 76-89.
    2. De Neve, Jan-Walter & Harling, Guy, 2017. "Offspring schooling associated with increased parental survival in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 149-157.
    3. Dick Durevall & Annika Lindskog, 2016. "Adult Mortality, AIDS, and Fertility in Rural Malawi," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 54(3), pages 215-242, September.
    4. Collin F. Payne & Luca Maria Pesando & Hans‐Peter Kohler, 2019. "Private Intergenerational Transfers, Family Structure, and Health in a sub‐Saharan African Context," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 45(1), pages 41-80, March.
    5. Phil Anglewicz & Tyler W. Myroniuk, 2018. "Shocks and migration in Malawi," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(14), pages 321-334.
    6. Iliana V. Kohler & Collin F. Payne & Chiwoza Bandawe & Hans-Peter Kohler, 2017. "The Demography of Mental Health Among Mature Adults in a Low-Income, High-HIV-Prevalence Context," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(4), pages 1529-1558, August.
    7. Collin F. Payne & Iliana V. Kohler & Chiwoza Bandawe & Kathy Lawler & Hans-Peter Kohler, 2018. "Cognition, Health, and Well-Being in a Rural Sub-Saharan African Population," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 34(4), pages 637-662, October.
    8. Emily Smith-Greenaway, 2020. "Does Parents’ Union Instability Disrupt Intergenerational Advantage? An Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(2), pages 445-473, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intergenerational transfers; Malawi; age patterns of transfers; transfer flows; SSA; MLSFH;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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