Willingness to Assist One's Elderly Parents: Responses from United States and Japanese Families

A report on the willingness of families in the US & Japan to provide care for aged parents. Using survey interview methods, samples of Winston-Salem, NC, families (N = 206) & Nerima ku, Tokyo, families (N = 591) were presented with scenarios depicting parents, extended kinsmen, & close friends in need of assistance. In both societies reports of willingness to help was high. Over 80% of the families reported they would help either parent on either a permanent or temporary basis. However, when stage of family life cycle & presence of children were considered, older childless families in the US were least willing to help Mrs. M (23%) but most willing to help Mr. D. (93%). Similar variation in willingness did not occur in Japan. These findings are discussed as they are related to filial responsibility norms in the two different societies. 14 References. AA.