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Parental migration, intergenerational obligations and the paradox for left-behind boys in rural China

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:27 authored by Nan Zhang, Tarani Chandola, Laia Becares, Peter Callery
Drawing on in-depth interviews with caregivers of left-behind children (LBC) in rural China, this article seeks to explore their understanding of migration motives and the social process of taking on care-giving roles for LBC. The authors argue that there are underlying socio-cultural explanations pertaining to economic motives for migration; such as, making contributions to social events (weddings and funerals) in village life, and fulfilling social obligations for left-behind sons’ futures. Parents migrate to save for sons’, but not daughters’, adult lives. Grandparents, particularly on the paternal side, are expected to fulfil social obligations to care for left-behind grandchildren, even without immediate financial returns. These suggest that left-behind boys, and in particular boys cared for by paternal grandparents, may be at greater risk than other LBC, as they may receive even fewer resources in the form of remittances from migrant parents in their early childhood.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Asian Population Studies

ISSN

1744-1730

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

1

Volume

12

Page range

68-87

Department affiliated with

  • Social Work and Social Care Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-08-10

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