Harmonious Pension Ages Concentric

Aging and death constitute the last chapter of human life; love, reproduction, and culture are major socio-cultural mechanisms man has developed to cope with these problems. China has entered into an aged society and elderly care has become an increasing challenge to the entire society. This study aims to identify the strength and weakness of three primary forms of elderly care: family, community, and nursing home. The data have come from in-depth interviews with thirty men and women aged seventy-five years or above from three nursing homes and one natural community in Beijing. The findings of this study should provide useful empirical grounding for the government to design new and improve existing elderly care policies.The concentric circle of family and state in traditional Chinese society made piety the center of a harmonious society. This piety and its extension of loyalty ensured the security of both the state and the family. Since the 1970s, the one-child policy has dramatically reduced the size of individual family. At the same time, the frequent population flows, the weakened sense of piety, and the outdated social security system have significantly affected the quality of life and happiness of the elderly. Our country is not yet rich but a large segment of its population has aged. Socio-cultural changes are called for to face this great challenge.At present, the bulk of elderly care is still borne by individual...