The structure of intergenerational exchanges in American families

D. P. Hogan, D. J. Eggebeen, C. C. Clogg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

412 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intergenerational support is analysed using data from the US National Survey of Families and Households. A systematic latent structure of intergenerational exchange characterizes the giving and receiving of support. Parents are assisted more often in situations of poor health, and more often receive assistance when they have young children. Assistance in time of need is not uniform and is rarely extensive. Intergenerational assistance is constrained by family structure and the needs and resources of each generation. African-Americans are consistently less likely than whites to be involved in intergenerational assistance. In each generation, men receive as much altruistic support as women; higher levels of giving and receiving of aid among American women are due to their greater involvement in exchange. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1428-1458
Number of pages31
JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology
Volume98
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Sociology and Political Science

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