Is the Eldest Son Different? The Residential Choice of Siblings in Japan
35 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2006 Last revised: 30 Jan 2022
Date Written: October 2006
Abstract
In this paper, we analyze the determinants of the living arrangements (coresidence behavior) of elderly parents and their children (whether elderly parents live with their children, and if so, with which child) in Japan using micro data from a household survey. Our results provide support for all four explanations of coresidence behavior but especially for the life cycle and dynasty models (both of which assume selfishly motivated parents) and social norms and traditions: The fact that parents who were self-employed before retirement are more likely to live with their children, the fact that parents are less likely to live with sons who adopt their wife's surname, and the fact that parents are more likely to live with daughters whose husbands adopt their surname constitute evidence in favor of the dynasty model. The fact that parents who were (relatively wealthy) executives before retirement and parents who are homeowners are more likely to live with their children and the fact that parents are more likely to live with less educated children constitute evidence in favor of the selfish life cycle model (or the altruism model). And the fact that parental attitudes toward their children affect their coresidence behavior, the fact that parents are more likely to live with their eldest child if their eldest child is a son, and the fact that parents are most likely to live with their eldest son even if he is not the eldest child constitute evidence in favor of social norms and traditions.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Recommended Papers
-
Is the Japanese Extended Family Altruistically Linked? A Test Based on Engel Curves
-
Are the Japanese Unique? An Analysis of Consumption and Saving Behavior in Japan
-
Bequest Taxes and Accumulation of Household Wealth: U.S. - Japan Comparison
By Thomas A. Barthold and Takatoshi Ito
-
Aging, Saving, and Public Pensions in Japan
By Charles Yuji Horioka, Wataru Suzuki, ...