Ageing and inter-generational relationships in Vietnam

Abstract

This thesis investigates the intergenerational relationships of people aged 60 and over in the context of rapid population ageing and social change in Vietnam. The country is experiencing significant economic development and rising incomes while maintaining strongly embedded Confucian values and norms on family relationships, including respect for older people and filial piety. These relationships have been affected by the social disruptions of war, and continue to change with modernisation, urbanisation and other social processes that have contributed to modifying traditional norms and values for intergenerational relationships. Changing forms of the family, notable declines in multigenerational households and the rise of the modified extended family have been extensive over recent decades. This thesis aims to examine the variations and changes in living arrangements and intergenerational support exchange, social relationships (association, affection and consensus) and the life satisfaction of older people. The thesis applies concepts in sociology and multidisciplinary gerontology to a comprehensive set of secondary data that inform different aspects of the thesis topic. These include the Vietnam National Ageing Survey 2011 (VNAS 2011) (n = 2,789), the Vietnam Family Survey 2006 (VFS 2006) (n = 13,689), the WHO-SAGE INDEPTH survey 2006–2007 (WSI 2007) (n = 5,030) and the Regional Ageing Survey 1996–1997 (RAS 1996 – 1997) (n = 1,770). VNAS 2011 was used as the primary data source for the thesis as it was the first nation-wide survey on older people in Vietnam. To examine the living arrangements of older people, VNAS 2011 and RAS 1996–1997 have been analysed to investigate determinants and consequences of living arrangements. A majority of older people were found to be living in multi-generational households in 2011 (45%), but the proportion had declined from 56% in 1996–1997. Conversely, the proportions living alone or living only with a spouse have been rising. These findings reflect declining family size along with growing ‘independence’ among older people as they gain more economic resources and better health. No longer married older people are seen more in multi-generational households, living only with children or living alone than those who are married. Older people living alone or only with a spouse were found more in rural than urban areas. Multi-generational households were reported more in cities, which may be because of housing constraints in these areas. Changes in cultural preferences for living arrangements have been enabled by rising resources of the older and middle generations. The investigation provides support for an intergenerational exchange interpretation as a strong association was found between older people’s resources and vulnerabilities and support exchange with their children. As per traditional patrilineal norms, eldest adult sons were expected to continue living in their ageing parents’ households after marriage while they and their wife provide financial and practical support. Older people who have more resources were found to receive more financial support, but they receive less assistance in care and housework from adult children than older people who have fewer resources. Older people who have more resources also provided more assistance to adult children by doing housework and providing grandparenting, especially among those who live in multigenerational households. Social relationships between generations were reported to be changing rather than weakening. Adult children, regardless of their gender, were reported to pay more direct visits to older parents when they live nearby. When they live far apart, the distance was overcome by remittances and telephone communication as well as occasional visits. Daughters were found to be more frequently in their contact with parents than sons when living in separate households. The findings suggest a gender-basis for emotional relationships between generations within families. This thesis found that life satisfaction in later life is best predicted by older people’s health, economic status and living conditions as well as the social relationships among generations. The thesis also provides evidence on the ongoing importance of affectual solidarity between generations and the importance to older people’s life satisfaction of feeling respected by younger generations and participating in making important decisions in the family. This study is one of the first comprehensive studies of intergenerational relations in Vietnam. It suggests the value of an intergenerational approach for policy development towards older people and family relationships as well as the value of an age-friendly environment for older people, particularly for those who are vulnerable. Caution is required in applying the research findings to future generations of older people, who would have had different life experiences.