Attitudes of Chinese College Students Toward Aging and Living Independently in the Context of China’s Modernization: A Qualitative Study

Frontiers in Psychology

Yan Zhang¹  Junxiu Wang²  Qian Hu³  Yanfei Zu⁴ 

[1] Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China;Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China;School of Psychology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Inner Mongolia, China;Shanghai Cao Yang No. 2 High School, Shanghai, China;Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China;

关键词: aging;    filial piety;    individualization;    modernization;    living arrangement;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.609736

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Modernization in China is accompanied by some specific features: aging, individualization, the emergence of the nuclear family, and changing filial piety. While young Chinese people are still the main caregivers for older adults, understanding the attitudes of young Chinese people toward aging and living independently in the context of modernization is important because it relates to future elderly care problems in China. By using in-depth interviews and qualitative methods, 45 participants were enrolled in the study, 38 (84.44%) were women and 37 (82.22%) had no siblings. The ages ranged from 17 to 25 years (mean age = 19.28, SD = 1.74). Results revealed that participants held diverse attitudes about older adults, but the general attitudes were that older adults are lonely, financially disadvantaged, have poor social support, lack hobbies, and care about their children more than themselves. Chinese college students were affected both by traditional filial piety and individualism; however, of the two, they seemed put greater value on independence. Moreover, traditional filial piety is changing in a modern direction, affected by Western ideas of individualism: the status of the senior is diminishing, and living with one’s parents is no longer regarded as a necessary component. Implications concerning age stereotypes, elderly care policies, and strategies are discussed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY