Asian Population Studies
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 68-87

Parental Migration, Intergenerational Obligations and the Paradox for Left-Behind Boys in Rural China (Article) (Open Access)

Zhang N.* , Chandola T. , Bécares L. , Callery P.
  • a Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research (CMIST), University of Manchester, United Kingdom
  • b Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research (CMIST), University of Manchester, United Kingdom
  • c Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research (CMIST), University of Manchester, United Kingdom
  • d School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract

Drawing on in-depth interviews with caregivers of left-behind children (LBC) in rural China, this article seeks to explore their understanding of migration motives and the social process of taking on care-giving roles for LBC. The authors argue that there are underlying socio-cultural explanations pertaining to economic motives for migration; such as, making contributions to social events (weddings and funerals) in village life, and fulfilling social obligations for left-behind sons’ futures. Parents migrate to save for sons’, but not daughters’, adult lives. Grandparents, particularly on the paternal side, are expected to fulfil social obligations to care for left-behind grandchildren, even without immediate financial returns. These suggest that left-behind boys, and in particular boys cared for by paternal grandparents, may be at greater risk than other LBC, as they may receive even fewer resources in the form of remittances from migrant parents in their early childhood. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

intergenerational exchange China Left-behind children Rural-to-urban migration

Index Keywords

China migrants remittance rural society intergenerational transfer rural-urban migration migrant worker child care parental care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84961708254&doi=10.1080%2f17441730.2015.1128230&partnerID=40&md5=adfec085814ab5d823e0b846cbe4d597
DOI: 10.1080/17441730.2015.1128230
ISSN: 17441730
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English