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How kinship systems and welfare regimes shape leaving home: A comparative study of the United States, Germany, Taiwan, and China

Author

Listed:
  • Bernhard Nauck

    (Technische Universität Chemnitz)

  • Nicolai Gröpler

    (Technische Universität Chemnitz)

  • Chin-Chun Yi

    (Academia Sinica)

Abstract

Objective: This paper aims to explain societal differences in the event of leaving the parental home as part of the transition to adulthood, in the United States, Germany, China, and Taiwan. It proposes bridge hypotheses between societal characteristics such as kinship system and welfare regime and home-leaving behavior, and tests them with nationally representative panel studies. Methods: Four panel studies (NLSY97 for the USA; PAIRFAM for Germany; CFPS for China; TYP for Taiwan) were harmonized for similar cohorts, with an age span of 15 to 30 years. Testing was based on age-specific tabulations of household composition and separate discrete-time event history models. Results: The prevalence of home-leaving is highest in the United States, followed by Germany, China, and then Taiwan. Timing is earlier in the United States than in Germany, and earlier in China than in Taiwan. Gender-specific coincidence of home-leaving with entry into higher education, the work force, cohabitation, and marriage can be conclusively related to differences in kinship system and welfare regime, and regional opportunity disparities. Contribution: The empirical results point to significant cultural differences between home-leaving in collectivistic, patrilineal societies (China, Taiwan) and individualistic, bilineal societies (USA, Germany). Whereas neolocal housing signifies an important step in the transition to adulthood in the latter societies, continuous intergenerational housing, or even an early return to it, is normatively supported in collectivistic cultures. Differences between the United States and Germany on the one hand, and China and Taiwan on the other, point to variation in welfare regimes and differences in urbanization.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernhard Nauck & Nicolai Gröpler & Chin-Chun Yi, 2017. "How kinship systems and welfare regimes shape leaving home: A comparative study of the United States, Germany, Taiwan, and China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(38), pages 1109-1148.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:36:y:2017:i:38
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2017.36.38
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Piper, Alan T., 2021. "An economic analysis of the empty nest syndrome: What the leaving child does matters," Discussion Papers 2021/4, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    2. Katrin Schwanitz & Francesco Rampazzo & Agnese Vitali, 2021. "Unpacking intentions to leave the parental home in Europe using the Generations and Gender Survey," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(2), pages 17-54.
    3. Zhiyong Lin & Wei-hsin Yu & Kuo-Hsien Su, 2019. "Comparing same- and different-sex relationship dynamics: Experiences of young adults in Taiwan," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(17), pages 431-462.
    4. Bastian Mönkediek, 2020. "Patterns of spatial proximity and the timing and spacing of bearing children," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 42(16), pages 461-496.
    5. Dianxi Wang & Yufeng Zhao, 2021. "A potential new pattern of pathway to adulthood is emerging in China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(42), pages 1023-1056.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    leaving home; transition to adulthood; life course analysis; cross-national comparison; China; Taiwan; United States of America; Germany; discrete-time event history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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