Childlessness and upward intergenerational support: cross-national evidence from 11 European countries.

摘要: Childless individuals are often depicted as "selfish" they opt out of raising children in favour investing resources themselves. Yet no research has investigated whether this claim holds domains social life such intergenerational family support. Using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) for 11 European countries, article examines differences between childless non-childless provision financial, practical, emotional transfers to their elderly parents. Results support idea that more prone providing upward than with children. Specifically, estimates multivariate logistic regression propensity score specifications suggest that, ceteris paribus, adults about 20 40 per cent likely provide parents, association driven by mothers. These findings enrich literature on childlessness ageing, view researchers policy makers should take into consideration not only what people receive or need old age, but also middle-aged adults.