Ying Shen
Shrinking family sizes have raised significant societal concerns about the capacity and sustainability of family care for an aging population. This thesis investigates how the number of children affects two aspects of family functioning in later life: (1) the parents’ receipt of care, including the number of child caregivers and whether care is received, and (2) adult children’s (hereafter referred to as “children”) care provision and caregiving experiences. Chapters 2 and 3 take the perspective of parents and clarify how the number of children affects their receipt of care. Survey data from China and the Netherlands were analyzed using different approaches. Results indicate that fewer children reduce the supply of care for parents, resulting in both a smaller number of children providing care and a lower likelihood of receiving care from children. However, this effect must be viewed in conjunction with the quality of parent-child relationships and the interdependence between siblings. Chapter 2, using data from China, shows that the positive association between the number of children and the number of actual child caregivers was partly explained by geographic proximity. In Chapter 3, using data from the Netherlands, I found that having at least one child with a strong bond (proximity, frequent contact, and prior support) significantly increases the likelihood of unpartnered parents receiving care. For partnered parents, who rely less on children, having a greater number of children only increases the likelihood of receiving care if all children have a strong or medium bond. The presence of even one child with a weak bond may offset the benefits of having more children. Chapters 4 and 5 shift to the perspective of children and jointly address how having or not having siblings affects their care provision and caregiving experiences. These chapters analyze qualitative data collected in China. From the perspective of children, being an only child means not only benefiting from exclusive parental investment and attention, but also having a strong motivation to provide care, driven by deep emotional attachment or a strong sense of obligation. Deep attachment to parents helps children gain meaning and strength in difficult situations, whereas caregiving driven primarily by obligation is often marked by pain and struggle. Moreover, providing intensive care without siblings to share responsibilities and emotions often makes caregiving a lonely journey. Some only children experienced physical strain and psychological distress, particularly when both parents were ill. In contrast, many children with siblings had someone with whom to share caregiving duties, although this was not guaranteed. Their experiences depended on the perceived fairness of the care division and the quality of sibling relationships, which together determined whether having siblings felt like a blessing or a burden in providing parent care. Having more children helps, but it does not guarantee the receipt of care. In the context of shrinking family sizes, future parent care will certainly become even more challenging. Meanwhile, the quality of parent-child relationships is of great importance, as it impacts not only the care parents receive, but also the children’s motivation and caregiving experiences. The same applies to sibling relationships, highlighting the necessity of equal parental treatment to foster shared filial responsibility. Policies should recognize the limits of family caregiving capacity, particularly in only-child families and those with strained relationships, and provide targeted support. Moreover, it is essential to raise public awareness regarding the importance of family cohesion, encourage intergenerational connections, and facilitate caregiving through initiatives such as accessible parent care leave.