Solidarity between Generations in Extended Families: Old-Age Income as a Way Out of Child Poverty?

European Sociological Review, Volume 36, Issue 2, April 2020, Pages 317–332

Posted: 4 Jun 2020

See all articles by Gerlinde Verbist

Gerlinde Verbist

University of Antwerp

Ron Diris

Leiden University Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Frank Vandenbroucke

University of Amsterdam

Date Written: April 1, 2020

Abstract

We analyse intergenerational solidarity within multigenerational households (MGHs) and assess how the formation of these households is related to poverty across European countries. Our aim is to assess how this type of household is a coping strategy with respect to financial distress for families with children. Using data from EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), we examine three specific empirical questions with regards to this complex form of intergenerational solidarity, notably (i) we identify to what extent co-residence within MGHs is Bfinancially beneficial to the young and/or the old generation; (ii) we analyse how the income brought into these households by the old generation impacts on child poverty, and (iii) we test how sensitive this impact is to hypotheses about the way resources are shared in the household. We define MGHs as those households where three generations cohabit. The results indicate that the formation of MGH operates mainly as solidarity from older to younger generations. Although not designed for this purpose, pensions alleviate child poverty in countries where MGH is most prevalent.

Suggested Citation

Verbist, Gerlinde and Diris, Ron and Vandenbroucke, Frank, Solidarity between Generations in Extended Families: Old-Age Income as a Way Out of Child Poverty? (April 1, 2020). European Sociological Review, Volume 36, Issue 2, April 2020, Pages 317–332, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3472934

Gerlinde Verbist

University of Antwerp ( email )

Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

Ron Diris

Leiden University Department of Economics

Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.rondiris.nl

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Frank Vandenbroucke (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1012 WX
Netherlands
+31 (0)20 525 6037 (Phone)

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