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Opinion | As China ages, another consequence looms for women and housework
- Help from young grandparents in childcare and housework has cushioned the impact of gender inequalities for many working women. But as they age, the burden of care is likely to return for women
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The results of China’s 2020 population census once again highlight the further ageing of its population. The proportion of senior citizens (those aged 60 and older) reached 18.7 per cent – a considerable 5.44 percentage-point increase compared to the previous census in 2010.
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The looming consequences of this significant demographic trend have become a focus of debate, particularly in terms of how it may affect China’s labour supply, economic growth and the aged care system. Less attention has been paid to how this trend is likely to affect the country’s vast gender inequality.
Despite many radical changes since the 1978 economic reforms, China remains a highly patriarchal society. The gendered division of domestic work persists, with women still shouldering the lion’s share.
Some argue that gender inequality has worsened in the past decades. As privatisation concentrates the responsibilities of work and family on individuals, women have been disadvantaged by more pressures at home and discrimination in employment.
In China’s multigenerational society, gender inequality is intrinsically tied to the senior population – parental co-residence remains common, with parents actively involved in providing childcare and housework support for their adult children, freeing up time for their employment.
Meanwhile, given the minimal government caregiving support, ageing parents also expect to be cared for by the family, often their adult children.
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