This study investigates the relationship between parents and children in later life, its strength, meaning, and continuity in contemporary Korean society. The primary purposes are to examine the extent and characterisics of intergenerational relationships and the consequences of intergenerational relationships on life satifaction of the aged parents. Data from a probability sample of aged parents aged 60 and over(n of parents=412) are used to test the research hypotheses. The theoretical model, developed by Bengtson and Schrader(1982), presented and tested in this research focuses on the perspective of the aged parent. Various dimensions of intergenerational relationships are measured as separate variables and their interrelationships are explored.
The major findings are:
1) Intergenerational family relationships remain strong and filial responsibility of aged parents by adult children continues to be a norm in Korean society.
2) Gender and birth order of the child are significant factors in differentiating the patterns of intergenerational relations.
3) Perceived economic status and marital status substantially influence the extent of intergenerational relationships.
4) Intergenerational relationships are critical to the welfare of aged parent.
5) Strong linkages among the various dimensions of intergenerational relations suggest that intergenerational realtionships are not strictly based on obligations.
6) The insignificant effects of help received from children on life satisfaction and the inverse association between parental expectations and the levels of life satisfaction indicate that there are changing norms and conflict between generations concerning intergenerational dependency in later life.
On the whole, the results indicate that the family remains a strong and supportive system for aged parents. Families, however, are constrained by limited economic resources and changes in normative expectations regarding care of the aged parent.
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