Intergenerational family relationships of the elderly in Korea

This study is an overview of the patterns and changes of intergenerational relations among the elderly in Korea and a discussion of its implications in the context of rapid social transformation. The theme, in the face of accelerated population aging and the continuation of the family as a main support sys-tem, has drawn the attention of researchers and policy-makers. Many have expressed concerns about the diminishing willingness and/or capacity of young family members to support their elderly ones and thus its detrimental consequences for the latter. Underlying such concern is the view that the elderly are at the receiving end of support and are passive participants in their relationship with other family members. As an ample amount of research has reported, however, many elderly members still play important roles and contribute to their families. This study, standing on the belief that intergenerational relations are varied among the elderly and dynamic over their life course, approaches some key aspects including geographic proximity, contacts and visits, exchanges of support, and attitudes toward the traditional familial role of elderly support. This study touches upon and synthesizes previous findings to draw a comprehensive picture of family relations between generations. In doing so, it focuses on sociodemographic differentials to reveal the heterogeneity of the elderly and their relationship with younger family members.