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Altruism and the Care of Elderly Parents

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  • Miki Kohara
  • Fumio Ohtake

Abstract

This study analyzes what adult children will do for their parents if they become frail and need long-term care. Descriptive statistics show that about 30 percent of adult children living separately from their parents provide long-term in-home care, which suggests that a significant number of Japanese children supply care. However, detailed examination reveals that this parental care is not motivated entirely by altruism. Children may provide parental care when their parents are wealthy enough to meet the costs of nursing. The results suggest that as the number of dual-income couples increases, they are able to give more money to their parents but not more time. A potentially large demand for market care services exists and will possibly increase. The results also suggest that the empirical results based only on money transfer may be misleading. Empirical results on time as well as money transfer should be compiled, and explanations found for any difference between the two behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Miki Kohara & Fumio Ohtake, 2011. "Altruism and the Care of Elderly Parents," Japanese Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(2), pages 3-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:jpneco:v:38:y:2011:i:2:p:3-18
    DOI: 10.2753/JES1097-203X380201
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Yuji Horioka, 2021. "Is the selfish life-cycle model more applicable in Japan and, if so, why? A literature survey," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 157-187, March.
    2. Charles Yuji Horioka & Emin Gahramanov & Aziz Hayat & Xueli Tang, 2018. "Why Do Children Take Care Of Their Elderly Parents? Are The Japanese Any Different?," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 59(1), pages 113-136, February.
    3. Charlene Kalenkoski, 2014. "Does generosity beget generosity? The relationships between transfer receipt and formal and informal volunteering," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 547-563, September.
    4. Yukawa, Shiho, 2012. "女性の賃金が親への介護行動に与える影響 [The Effect of Women's Wage on Elderly Care]," MPRA Paper 35801, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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