Living Arrangements and Support Relationships among Elderly Indonesians: Case Studies from Java and Sumatra

Abstract

Most elderly parents in Indonesia co-reside with their adult children. However preliminary studies provide some evidence that casts doubt on the presumed relationship between co-residence and receipt of support (Frankenberg et al. 1999; Cameron 2000). This paper uses qualitative case studies of elderly parents and their adult children to examine the connection between living arrangements and support relationships. We collected the data for the case studies through the use of in-depth interviews direct observation and a structured household questionnaire. We conducted the case studies in urban and rural areas on Java and Sumatra respectively, and we focused upon two distinct sociocultural groups: the Javanese and the Batak Karo. The use of different geographic locations allowed us to evaluate how the urban and rural environment as well as traditional sociocultural norms, shaped the preferences and behaviors of elderly parents and their adult children. This paper argues for the conceptual separation of living arrangements and support relationships and it suggests the existence of a support continuum that has six distinct levels ranging from level 1 (elderly parents completely supporting adult child) to level 5 (adult child completely supports elderly parents) with level 6 indicating no exchange of support whatsoever. Primarily "support" refers to transfers of time and money; however the case study approach facilitates the evaluation of less quantifiable aspects of support, including companionship, knowledge and experience. Based on evidence from the case studies it appears that some elderly parents completely support their adult children; however, in most cases the relationship between parent and child is reciprocal.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA381643

Entities

People

  • Victoria A. Beard
  • Yacobus Kunharibowo

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asia
  • Boundaries
  • Case Studies
  • Communities
  • Employment
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Families (Human)
  • International Relations
  • Nuclear Family
  • Political Science
  • Questionnaires
  • Rural Areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Societies
  • Sociology
  • Southeast Asia
  • Urban Areas

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