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Liam, Jersey; and Otters TITLE Chinese Perspectives on Aging in the People's Republic of China

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Liam, Jersey; and Otters TITLE Chinese Perspectives on Aging in the People's Republic of China 1XICUMENTRESUME ED 318 848 CE 053 639 AUTHOR Liam, Jersey; And Otters TITLE Chinese Perspectives on Aging in the People's Republic of China. INSTITUTION International Exchange Center on Gerontology, Tampa, F.L. PUB DATE 85 NOTE 50p. AVAILABLE FROM International Exchange Center on Gerontology, University of South Florida, P.O. Box 3208, Tampa, FL 33620 ($6.50). PUB TYPE Reports - Descriptive (141) -- Collected Works - General (020) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adult Development; Aging (Individuals); *Aging Education; Community Services; Developmental Stages; *Family Relationship; Family Structure; Foreign Countries; Frail Elderly; Geriatrics; *Gerontology; Midlife Transitions; *Older Adults; Retirement; *Retirement Benefits; Social Agencies; Social Planning; Social Responsibility; *Social Services; Social Structure IDENTIFIERS *China ABSTRACT This document consists of the following three papers: (1) "Aging in the People's Republic of China" (Liang), including a 22-item bibliography;(2) "The Reform of China's Social Security System for the Elderly" (Chuanyi); and (3) "Developing Research on Aging in China" (Jihui). The first paper briefly outlines the history of gerontology in China, describes characteristics of the older Chinese population, explains population aging, describes old age support in both rural and urban areas, describes nonfamily provision for the elderly, and expresses concerns for the elderly Chinese of the future. The second paper considers the part in China's 2,000-year-old tradition played by family structure and respect for the elderly, describes the Chinese retirement system, explains reforms being considered ror the retirement and insurance systems, lists activities in which the elderly are being encouraged to engage, mentions a university set up exclusively for the aged, recommends traditional exercises to help the elderly become healthier, and discusses types of activities that can be devised to make the life of the elderly more enjoyable. The third paper describes the Chinese response to the social problems posed by the elderly, explains the important role and the characteristics of the elderly, and discusses problems yet to be solved. Among them are elderly support, widowhood support, management of retirees, improvement of the social service for the elderly, and keeping up the moral standard. ;CML) **********************%********************************************AAAA Reproductions supplied by EDRS areth? best that can be made from the original document.' *******************tit******Wait*********Aft*****AAAnrita*****Altg**AAAAAA*** ve.CIEPARTIVENY Of EDUCAtiON Office of Eckseattonsl R088r8 tine improvement "PE-1MISSION TO REPRODUCE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORAAA 'ICN THIS CENTER (ERIC? MATERIAL HAS BEENGRANTED BY siMfgdocument nee been reproduced83 reC8+-ala iron Ina person or argent/flon ongmetrng it Cl Minor changes have been made to onptOre rOW041uCflOsi QUt.'ly POMI8r Iu.evv or 01)dananSslates:1.nIhtbdocu. met au not necessenly reiresent official OEFflpo.laionoroolicy TO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER(ERIC)." CHINESE PERSPECTIVES ON AGING IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA BY JERSEY LIANG INSTITUTE OF GERONTOLOGY WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY CHU CHUANYI INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN STUDIES CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES YUAN JIHUI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY SHANGEAI UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CENTER ON GERONTOLOGY at tire UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA A Multi-University Consortium AVAILABLE PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CENTERON GERONTOLOGY 1985 2 CONTENTS THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CENTER ON GERONTOLOGY ITS ORGANIZATION AND MISSION ..18.111.....1........... I FOREWORD HAROLD L. SHEPPARD IIIIP81101111111111111/111111W1111111111111111111111i III AGING IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA JERSEY LIANG atatatattaatesattaa testatasaa . a t,1 a.. la ate at lila 1 THE REFORM OF CHINA'S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM FOR THE ELDERLY CHU CHUANYI 111.181.1,421,1,1..,...................,,.4. 23 DEVELOPING RESEARCH ON AGING IN CHINA YUAN JIHUI ssassessaawasesssa mm1111,51116 nasal! samosa ass 31 3 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CENTER ON GERONTOLOGY UnnerVyof South Florida PO. Box 3208 Tompo. Rondo 33620 (813) 974-2833- THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION The International Exchange Center on Gerontology is an organization of centers and programs for gerontological research and teaching in both public and private universities throughout Florida. The University of South Florida is the head- quarters or "host institution" for the IECG. The Center is new, having received its permanent funding in 1982, and operates under a Director and an Advisory Board of representatives from the participating universities. The purpose of the IECG is to make available to policymakers in the State the best information that can be secured on policies, programs, and services for the elderly. This means collecting and analyzing experiences in such areas as transportation, health care, incomesecurity, housing, social services, nutrition, and other subjects that have a significant meaning in the daily lives of our elderly citizens. To carry out this mission, the IECG must communicate with political leaders, program administrators, academic insti- tutions, and with experts in gerontology throughout the United States and the world. Special attention will be given to program innovations, and to experiences that reveal both strengths and weaknesses in various approachesthat have been tried in addressing the aspirations and needs of the elderly. Careful and frank exchange of information, and thorouglhallalysis of policies and programs by policymakers and specialistsin highereducation offer an opportunity for examination from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Florida has a unique opportunity for leadership in this field through the Center. Its concentration of elderly persons, and innovative programslike community care for the elderly, demonstrate the possibilities for bothgive- and-take of experiences. With assured continuing support, a small but highly qualified staff.and faculty available in higher education throughoutFlorida, the IECG can develop a program that will greatly benefit all states. The pressures on state leadership to come up with wise decisions inhuman services is especially intense under the changing federal emphasis. The initiative is shifting more and more to the states, as federal funding is reduced. Useful information exhange will help state leadership to make increasingly difficult choices among competing priorities for limited funds. Against the backdrop of a future which will feature eAponential economic growth in the State, the influx of growing numbers of persons of working age, and the con:inuing increase in the numberof persons over 60, Florida's policymakers need the best intellectual resources and insightsthat can be tapped. As a center for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information of this quality and depth, the higher eduction community can be of inestimable service to the political and administrativL leadership ofFlorida. The IECG can serve as a vital linkbetween the universities and colleges, and state and local governments. An Affirmativa.Adlon Equal Opportunity Employe Member Institutions: Florida AL" University Florida Atlantic University Florida International l'oirergity Florida State University * University of Central Florida iblianataer &.#12 Raton Miami Tallahassee Oriando Moon* of Florida (hailers* of 3tionti Uniimrsity of North Florida tharfraily of South Florida Uravesite of West Florida .Gaisfavilk Cord Gable. Jackman& 4 1 wva Pensacola Foreword The International Exchange Center has already published two reports on selected aspects of aging in the People's Republic of China, by two Native- born American social scientists.* This publication consists instead of contributions by three Chinese scholars one of them now an American citizen, Dr. Jersey Liang, of the University of Michigan. The other two reside in China: Yuan Jihui, Professor of Sociology at Shanghai University, and one of the founders of that megalopolis' gerontological society; and Chu Chua of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, in Beijing. The Exchange Center is indeed privileged to obtain permission from these authors to present their perspectives and findings about one of the newly emerging phenomena in, and socio-economic challenges to, the most populated country of the world. Dr. Liang's contribution is based on his experti e on the 3ubject, and more explicitly on his visit in 1984 to the PRC as a member of an official delegation of American sociologists and anthropologists, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People's Republic of China, and hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Gerontology -- under one rubric or another -- is emerging as a special area of study in China. There is now a national Gerontological Committee, with strong ties to local branches organized by municipalities; and several publications dedicated to specific, concrete features of aging and the elderly. Gordon F. Streib, ofthe University of Florida, and Harold L. Sheppard, of the University of SouthFloridaTheir two essays were published as two chapters in Aging in Chinain early 1985. iii 5 As Liang reports, Shanghai's area-wide five-year plan lists aging as one of the priorities to be tackled by local government. Some demographic nuances warrant our attention. For example, Liang points out that on a percentage basis, China has very
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