Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-2023

Abstract

Previous literature has examined how multigenerational coresidence changes parental time in primary childcare. However, much less is known about how coresidence may affect the amount of time parents invest in developmental childcare, which is crucial for children’s education and life chances. Using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010-2018, we examine how parental time investment in developmental childcare varies by household structure and parental and grandparental education. Results suggest that coresidence with maternal grandparents increases mothers’ time in developmental childcare among children with high-educated parents. Moreover, the positive effect of matrilocal residence on maternal time investment is greatest for children in families with high levels of education, where both parental and grandparental education levels are high. These results suggest that for highly educated families in China, matrilocal residence may be a strategic arrangement to allow parents to invest more time in their children’s education, producing multigenerational advantages through intergenerational cooperation between parents and grandparents.

Keywords

Multigenerational coresidence, Developmental childcare, Parental investment, Grandparents, Time use, China

Discipline

Sociology

Research Areas

Sociology

Publication

Research in Social Stratification and Mobility

ISSN

0276-5624

Identifier

10.1016/j.rssm.2023.100800

Publisher

Elsevier

Embargo Period

4-1-2025

Additional URL

http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2023.100800

Available for download on Tuesday, April 01, 2025

Included in

Sociology Commons

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