An Empirical Study on the Relationship between Clan Culture and the Resilience of Rural Elderly Households
Following the comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty, exploring ways to enhance the resilience of rural elderly families is of significant importance for consolidating and expanding these achievements, while also serving as a key measure to address rural elderly care issues. From the perspective of clan culture and using family resilience as an entry point, this paper investigates the impact of clan culture on the resilience of rural elderly families and its underlying mechanisms at the micro level, based on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The research results indicate that clan culture, measured by the presence of ancestral halls, significantly enhances the resilience of rural elderly families. After a series of endogeneity and robustness tests, the conclusion remains valid. Mechanism analysis reveals that clan culture primarily enhances family resilience through intergenerational support at the family level and social trust at the societal level. Specifically, clan culture significantly improves children's financial support for their elderly parents and trust in neighbors, which in turn increases family resilience. Moreover, the impact of clan culture on the resilience of rural elderly families varies across regions with different levels of economic development, with a more pronounced effect in underdeveloped areas. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the role of clans in modern rural society and provide theoretical support for enhancing the resilience of rural elderly families and addressing the elderly care issue in rural areas.
Barrett, C. B., Ghezzi-Kopel, K., Hoddinott, J., Homami, N., Tennant, E., Upton, J., and Wu, T. (2021). A scoping review of the development resilience literature: Theory, methods and evidence, World Development, 146: 105612.
Cai, R., Ye, X., & Mao, Z. (2023). Does Consumption-based Assistance Enhance the Developmental Resilience of Households Lifted Out of Poverty? [消费帮扶是否提升了脱贫农户家庭发展韧性?], Financial and Trade Research [财贸研究], (10), 30-41. DOI:10.19337/j.cnki.34-1093/f.2023.10.003.
Cissé, J., & Barrett, C. (2018). Estimating development resilience: A conditional moments-based approach, Journal of Development Economics, 135, 272-284.
Chen, B., & Chen, S. (2018). Mobile Social Capital—Does Traditional Clan Culture Affect Immigrant Employment? [流动的社会资本——传统宗族文化是否影响移民就业?], Economic Research Journal [经济研究], (3), 35-49.
Cheng, J. (2021). How Does Traditional Clan Culture Affect Married Women's Labor Force Participation? [传统宗族文化如何影响已婚女性劳动参与?], Chinese Economic Studies [中国经济问题], (4), 133-145. DOI:10.19365/j.issn1000-4181.2021.04.10.
Chen, J., Yang, X., & Yin, S. (2016). Research on the Measurement, Effects, and Countermeasures for the Poverty Resilience of Rural Households: A Perspective from Household Structure [农户贫困恢复力测度、影响效应及对策研究——基于农户家庭结构的视角], Chinese Journal of Population, Resources and Environment [中国人口·资源与环境], (1), 150-157.
Deng, T., Zheng, X., Bi, J., Yang, Y. (2022). Research on Rural Elderly Poverty from the Perspective of Family Structure Change [家庭结构变迁视角下农村老年贫困研究], Statistics and Information Forum [统计与信息论坛], (6), 115-128.
Ding, C, Fan, Q., Liu, Z. (2024). Traditional Clan Culture Improves Modern Agricultural Productivity: Effects and Mechanisms [传统宗族文化提升现代农业生产效率：效应与机理], Chinese Rural Economy [中国农村经济], No. 8, pp. 88-106. DOI:10.20077/j.cnki.11-1262/f.2024.08.005.
Ding, C., Shao, M., & Liang, Z. (2018). Analysis of the Impact of Clans on Rural Human Capital Investment [宗族对农村人力资本投资的影响分析], Chinese Rural Economy [中国农村经济], Chinese Rural Economy, No. 2, pp. 95-108. DOI:10.20077/j.cnki.11-1262/f.2018.02.007.
Fan, C.,& Li, W. (2015). The New Rural Pension Scheme, Clan Networks, and Intergenerational Transfers in Rural Household [新农保、宗族网络与农村家庭代际转移], Social Sciences of Beijing [北京社会科学], No. 1, pp. 18-25. DOI:10.13262/j.bjsshkxy.bjshkx.150103.
Fan, Y., & Cong, S. (2024). Fiscal Transfer Payments and Livelihood Resilience of Farmer Households: A Driving Force or a Constraint? [财政转移支付与农户生计韧性：“驱动”还是“制约”], Chinese Rural Economy [中国农村经济], No. 1, pp. 125-148. DOI:10.20077/j.cnki.11-1262/f.2024.01.017.
Feng, E., & Yan, A. (2012). A History of Clans [宗族史话], Social Sciences Academic Press (China) [社会科学文献出版社], pp. 96-98.
Gao, H., & Zhang, A. (2019). The Embedded Construction of Clan-based Elderly Care [宗族养老的嵌入性建构], Journal of Jishou University (Social Science Edition) [吉首大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 3, pp. 154-160. DOI:10.13438/j.cnki.jdxb.2019.03.019.
Gao, S., Cheng, W., & Tang, J. (2024). Research on the Livelihood Resilience of Farmer Households in Old Revolutionary Base Areas from the Perspective of Risk Shocks: A Case Study of the Taihang Old Revolutionary Base Area [风险冲击视角下革命老区农户生计韧性研究——以太行革命老区为例], Chinese Rural Economy [中国农村经济], No. 3, pp. 107-125. DOI:10.20077/j.cnki.11-1262/f.2024.03.006.
Greif, A., & Tabellini, G. (2010). Cultural and institutional bifurcation: China and Europe compared, American economic review, 100(2), 135-140.
Guo, Y., Yao, Y., & Jeremy, F. (2012). Clan Networks, Rural Finance, and Consumption Smoothing: Evidence from 77 Villages in 11 Provinces of China [宗族网络、农村金融与平滑消费：来自中国11省77村的经验], China Rural Survey [中国农村观察], No. 1, pp. 32-45. DOI:10.20074/j.cnki.11-3586/f.2012.01.004.
Gu, S., Wu, H., Cao, D. (2017). Strategic Thoughts and Suggestions for Building a Scientific and Reasonable Elderly Care Service System [构建科学合理养老服务体系的战略思考与建议], Population Research [人口研究], No. 1, pp. 3-14.
Han, L., Li, S. (2022). Can Clan Culture Resolve the Low Birthrate Phenomenon?—An Empirical Test Based on CFPS 2014 Data [宗族文化能够化解“少子化”现象吗?——基于CFPS2014数据的经验检验], World Economic Papers [世界经济文汇], No. 6, pp. 99-118.
Hong, M., Yang, X., & Xu, Y. (2021). Clan Networks and the Resource Allocation Effect of Land Transfer: A Blessing or a Curse? [宗族网络与土地流转资源配置效应——锦上添花还是雪上加霜?], Economic Review [经济评论], No. 3, pp. 145-164. DOI:10.19361/j.er.2021.03.09.
Hu, J., Song, X., & Wang, H. (2017). Informal Institutions, Hometown Identity, and Corporate Environmental Governance [非正式制度、家乡认同与企业环境治理], Management World [管理世界], No. 3, pp. 76-94, 187-188. DOI:10.19744/j.cnki.11-1235/f.2017.03.006.
Jia, N., & Wang, H. (2022). Research on Policies for Preventing Households Lifted out of Poverty from Relapsing into Poverty [脱贫农户返贫风险防范政策研究], Economic Research Journal [经济研究], No. 10, pp. 121-137.
Liang, R., & Ren, W. (2023). Clan Organizations, Credit Constraints, and Rural Human Capital Accumulation: An Empirical Research Based on College Enrollment Expansion [宗族组织、信贷约束与农村人力资本积累——基于“大学扩招”的实证研究], Economic Science [经济科学], No. 2, pp. 213-226.
Li, H., & Lu, Q. (2021). Targeted Poverty Alleviation and the Resilience of Poor Households—An Analysis Based on CHFS Micro Data [精准扶贫与贫困家庭复原力——基于CHFS微观数据的分析], China Rural Survey [中国农村观察], No. 2, pp. 28-41. DOI:10.20074/j.cnki.11-3586/f.2021.02.003.
Li, H., & Lu, Q. (2022). Unconditional Cash Transfer Payment and Family Development Resilience: Empirical Evidence from China's Minimum Livelihood Guarantee Policy [无条件现金转移支付与家庭发展韧性——来自中国低保政策的经验证据], Chinese Rural Economy [中国农村经济], No. 10, pp. 82-101.
Lin, Z., & Du, C. (2023). Can Participation in Farmers’ Cooperatives Enhance Household Livelihood Resilience?—Evidence from Tibetan-Inhabited Areas of Sichuan [农民合作社参与行为能否提高农户生计韧性?——基于四川涉藏地区的样本], Rural Economy [农村经济], No. 8, pp. 122-133. DOI:10.26957/j.cnki.cn51-1029/f.2023.08.013.
Liu, C., Yi, F., & Xu, Z. (2017). Parental Health: Money or Time?—A Re-examination of the Impact of Adult Children’s Migrant Work [父母健康:金钱和时间孰轻孰重?——农村子女外出务工影响的再审视], Management World [管理世界], No. 7, pp. 74-87. DOI:10.19744/j.cnki.11-1235/f.2017.07.007.
Liu, X., Wang, W., & Zhang, L. (2021). The power of informal institutions: The impact of clan culture on the depression of the elderly in rural China, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20(4), 1107-1118.
Niu, K., Xu, H., & Chi, X. (2022). The Impact of Farmland Rights Confirmation and Clan Networks on Farmland Transfer-out: Substitutes or Complements [农地确权和宗族网络对农地转出的影响：替代或互补], Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University (Social Science Edition) [南京农业大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 3, pp. 139-150. DOI:10.19714/j.cnki.1671-7465.2022.0047.
North, D. C. (2008). Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance [制度、制度变迁与经济绩效], Truth & Wisdom Press [格致出版社], pp. 6-7.
Peng, X. (2023). Population Age Structure in the Context of Aging [老龄化背景下的人口年龄结构], Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition) [上海交通大学学报（哲学社会科学版）], No. 2, pp. 14-24. DOI:10.13806/j.cnki.issn1008-7095.2023.02.002.
Peng, Y. (2004). Kinship networks and entrepreneurs in China’s transitional economy, American Journal of Sociology, 109(5), 1045-1074.
Ruan, R., & Zheng, F. (2013). Clan Networks and Rural Enterprises in the Process of Marketization [市场化进程中的宗族网络与乡村企业], China Economic Quarterly [经济学（季刊）], No. 1, pp. 331-356. DOI:10.13821/j.cnki.ceq.2013.01.003.
Ruan, Y. (2018). Do Clan Networks Inhibit the Development of Rural Commercial Insurance?—An Empirical Study Based on Thousand Village Survey Data [宗族网络抑制了农村商业保险的发展吗——基于“千村调查”数据的实证研究], Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition) [华中科技大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 2, pp. 87-95, 140. DOI:10.19648/j.cnki.jhustss1980.2018.02.013.
Speranza, C., Wiesmann, U., & Rist, S. (2014). An indicator framework for assessing livelihood resilience in the context of social–ecological dynamics, Global Environmental Change, 28, 109-119.
Tao, D., Wang, J., & Zhao, K. (2019). The Impact of China’s Rural Clan Networks on Participation in the New Rural Pension Scheme: An Empirical Study Based on CFPS [中国农村宗族网络对新农保参与的影响——基于CFPS的实证研究], Journal of Hunan Agricultural University (Social Science Edition) [湖南农业大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 3, pp. 44-51. DOI:10.13331/j.cnki.jhau(ss).2019.03.007.
Tian, J., Liao, L., & Wang, S. (2024). Research on the Impact of Inclusive Finance on Household Economic Resilience [普惠金融对农户家庭经济韧性的影响研究], Southwest University Journal (Social Science Edition) [西南大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 1, pp. 132-143. DOI:10.13718/j.cnki.xdsk.2024.01.011.
Wang, H., & Zhang, J. (2024). The Impact of Non-farm Employment on Rural Households’ Clean Energy Consumption and Its Sustainability—A Case Study of Clean Cooking Energy [非农就业对农户清洁能源消费及其持续性的影响——以炊事清洁能源消费为例], China Rural Survey [中国农村观察], No. 3, pp. 163-184. DOI:10.20074/j.cnki.11-3586/f.2024.03.009.
Wang, H. (2020). A Comparative Study of Village Structure, Empowerment Models, and Welfare Linked to Senior Citizens’ Organizations [村庄结构、赋权模式与老年组织连带福利比较研究], China Rural Survey [中国农村观察], No. 4, pp. 36-49. DOI:10.20074/j.cnki.11-3586/f.2020.04.003.
Wang, P., & Li, S. (2011). A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Intergenerational Support on the Life Satisfaction of the Rural Elderly [代际支持对农村老年人生活满意度影响的纵向分析], Population Research [人口研究], No. 1, pp. 44-52.
Wu, J., & Zhu, Z. (2024). How Do Rural Mutual-Aid Eldercare Programs Succeed? An Institutional Analysis Based on a Case Study of Village A [农村互助养老院项目何以成功：基于A村案例的制度分析], Comparative Economic and Social Systems [经济社会体制比较], No. 4, pp. 150-159.
Xie, E (2014). The Economic Vulnerability and Poverty of Elderly Households in China [中国老年家庭的经济脆弱性与贫困], Population and Development [人口与发展], No. 2, pp. 67-75.
Yang, Z., & Chen, Z. (2024). The Impact of Clan Culture on Rural Women's Non-farm Employment[宗族文化对农村女性非农就业的影响], Population and Development [人口与发展], No. 2, pp. 62-78.
Zhang, C., & Ma, G. (2017). Clan Culture, Boy Preference, and Female Development [宗族文化、男孩偏好与女性发展], The Journal of World Economy [世界经济], No. 3, pp. 122-143. DOI:10.19985/j.cnki.cassjwe.2017.03.007.
Zhang, C. (2019). Family support or social support? The role of clan culture, Journal of Population Economics, 32: 529-549.
Zhang, C. (2020). Clans, entrepreneurship, and development of the private sector in China, Journal of Comparative Economics, 48(1), 100-123.
Zhang, D., & Jiao, Y. (2022). Agricultural Insurance, Agricultural Total Factor Productivity, and the Economic Resilience of Farmer Households [农业保险、农业全要素生产率与农户家庭经济韧性], Journal of South China Agricultural University (Social Science Edition) [华南农业大学学报（社会科学版）], No. 2, pp. 82-97.
Zhu, M., Zheng, X., & Li, T. (2019). Clan Networks, Insurance Systems, and Migrant Employment of Rural Women—An Empirical Spatial Econometric Analysis Based on CFPS Database [宗族网络、保险制度与农村女性外出就业——基于CFPS数据库的空间计量实证分析], Economic Science [经济科学], No. 4, pp. 105-117.