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Unequal Time Transfers

Between‐Sibling Inequality in Older Parents' Childcare Support in Korea

Bibliographic Data

ID18965005
AuthorsJ In (0000-0001-5439-6096, Department of Information Sociology Soongsil University Seoul Republic of Korea, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume88
Issue2
Pages379-395
Publication date2026-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Marriage and the Family (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-2445 • E-ISSN: 1741-3737
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jomf.70012
OpenAlexW4412123073
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited144

Objective This study investigates within‐family inequalities among adult children regarding their likelihood of receiving childcare support from older parents in South Korea. Background Older parents' childcare support is widespread and serves as a crucial resource for adult children with childcare responsibilities. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on the distribution of such parental time resources among adult children within a family, especially in East Asian contexts. This contrasts sharply with extensive studies on financial transfers. Method This study leverages data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) and employs linear family fixed effects models. It investigates how differential support from older parents among adult children varies by older parents' education, adult children's education, and gender. Results The analyses reveal substantial heterogeneity based on older parents' education. Less educated parents tend to favor sons, especially among less educated children, with selective support based on education primarily affecting daughters. In contrast, more educated parents show a preference for daughters and do not differentiate based on their children's education. Conclusion The study highlights the enduring influence of traditional gender norms amidst contemporary societal changes in South Korea. It also reveals that class and gender intersect in both the provision of support and its subsequent effects. Therefore, policies encouraging kin support for childcare should consider the potential negative impacts on class and gender inequality that it entails.

Demographic economics · Developmental psychology · Economics · Inequality · Sibling · Sibling relationship · Family Support in Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Psychology

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Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1

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