The Relationship Between Aged Parents and Cohabiting Unmarried Children: Results from the Tokorozawa Living Arrangement Study

Abstract

The recent rapid aging of the Japanese population is having a widespread impact on the ways of living and thinking among people. In particular, there has been a big change in older peoples' dwelling arrangements, and this issue has a bearing on current family structures.

This is based on data from Tokorozawa Living Arrangement Research on the way of residing among different age groups, the current state of households that involve unmarried children living with their aged parents, and evaluations and opinions of aged parents with regard to their unmarried children are reported.

One characteristic of the lifestyles of aged parents and cohabiting unmarried children in this research was the children's dependence on the parents. Most aged parents thought that they lived with their unmarried children because “it was natural to do so” or “they were not independent.” In this way, the relationships of aged parents and their unmarried children seem to have mutual benefits: unmarried children can enjoy economic stability and affluent life, and aged parents can secure the role of parents to support unmarried and dependent children.

KEYWORDS:

• cohabitating unmarried children
• financial dependence
• mutual benefits

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Foundation Research B: Assigned Number: 15402039. Comparative research on aging and living arrangement in the East and Southeast Asia. Representative: Dr. Haruo Sagaza.