Ashton M Verdery1, Rachel Margolis2, Zhangjun Zhou1, Xiangnan Chai2, Jongjit Rittirong3. 1. Department of Sociology and Criminology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. 2. Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. 3. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Thailand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The first and second demographic transitions have led to profound changes in family networks. However, the timing and extent of these transitions vary widely across contexts. We examine how common it is for contemporary older adults to lack living kin and whether such individuals are uniformly disadvantaged around the world. METHODS: Using surveys from 34 countries that together contain 69.6% of the world's population over age 50 and come from all regions of the world, we describe the prevalence and correlates of lacking immediate kin. We examine macro-level demographic indicators associated with the prevalence of kinlessness as well as micro-level associations between kinlessness and sociodemographic and health indicators. RESULTS: There is great variation in levels of kinlessness, from over 10% with neither a spouse nor a biological child in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland to levels below 2% in China and the Republic of Korea. There are strong macro-level relationships between kinlessness and lagged or contemporaneous fertility, mortality, and nuptiality measures and more marginal relationships with other demographic forces. Micro-level associations between kinlessness and respondent attributes are varied. The kinless are more likely to live alone than those with kin in all countries. In most countries, they have equivalent or worse self-rated health and lower education, although there are notable exceptions. There is substantial variation in the gender composition of the kinless population. DISCUSSION: As demographic changes affecting kinlessness continue, we expect the scale of the kinless population to grow around the world.
OBJECTIVES: The first and second demographic transitions have led to profound changes in family networks. However, the timing and extent of these transitions vary widely across contexts. We examine how common it is for contemporary older adults to lack living kin and whether such individuals are uniformly disadvantaged around the world. METHODS: Using surveys from 34 countries that together contain 69.6% of the world's population over age 50 and come from all regions of the world, we describe the prevalence and correlates of lacking immediate kin. We examine macro-level demographic indicators associated with the prevalence of kinlessness as well as micro-level associations between kinlessness and sociodemographic and health indicators. RESULTS: There is great variation in levels of kinlessness, from over 10% with neither a spouse nor a biological child in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland to levels below 2% in China and the Republic of Korea. There are strong macro-level relationships between kinlessness and lagged or contemporaneous fertility, mortality, and nuptiality measures and more marginal relationships with other demographic forces. Micro-level associations between kinlessness and respondent attributes are varied. The kinless are more likely to live alone than those with kin in all countries. In most countries, they have equivalent or worse self-rated health and lower education, although there are notable exceptions. There is substantial variation in the gender composition of the kinless population. DISCUSSION: As demographic changes affecting kinlessness continue, we expect the scale of the kinless population to grow around the world.
Authors: Amílcar Matos-Moreno; Ashton M Verdery; Carlos F Mendes de Leon; Vivianna M De Jesús-Monge; Alexis R Santos-Lozada Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2022-08-12
Authors: Natalie P Plick; Claire K Ankuda; Christine A Mair; Mohammed Husain; Katherine A Ornstein Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2021-04-21 Impact factor: 7.538
Authors: Ashton M Verdery; Emily Smith-Greenaway; Rachel Margolis; Jonathan Daw Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2020-07-10 Impact factor: 11.205