Gender Difference in the Expectation and Receipt of Filial Piety Among U.S Chinese Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Filial piety is a fundamental virtue that defines children’s care-giving obligation to older parents in Chinese families. This study aims to evaluate whether gender difference exists in the expectation and receipt of filial piety among U.S Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were drawn from the PINE study, a population-based study of U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area. Guided by a community-based participatory research approach, a total of 3,159 Chinese older adults aged 60 and above were surveyed. Filial piety was examined in six domains, including care, respect, greeting, happiness, obedience, and financial support. Socio-demographic correlates with expectations and receipt of filial piety were examined. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Results: Female older adults were 1.02 points higher than male older adults in their perceived receipt of filial piety (PE=1.02, p<0.001) adjusted for the socio-demographics. Older women received more respect (p<0.001), greetings (p<0.001), happiness (p<0.01), and obedience (p<0.05). Women with an older age (r = 0.06, p<0.05) and a lower educational level (r = -0.11, p<0.01) received more filial piety while similar trends were not discovered among men. Being married was correlated with a higher level of filial piety receipt among men (r = 0.07. p<0.05) while the correlation was not significant among women.

Discussion: This study provides insights to understand how the gender of the older parents influences their expectation and receipt of filial piety. Our findings have important implications to guide elder care practices with cultural and gender sensitivity.