INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONS IN MODERN CHINA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

China’s demographic transformation has become one of the defining features of twentyfirst century global population change. In little more than four decades, the country has undergone a transition from a young, high-fertility society to an ageing one characterized by low birth rates, long life expectancy, and deep social restructuring. These demographic changes are not merely statistical; they have profound implications for the relations between generations, the structure of families, and the moral foundations of social life. Drawing upon a broad review of sociological, anthropological, and policy literature, this article explores the nature and evolution of intergenerational relations in modern China. The discussion begins with an overview of the demographic transition and specific patterns of ageing, then examines the socio-economic conditions of older people and the policy responses of the Chinese state. The second part analyses the cultural, ethical, and societal dimensions of intergenerational relations: the position of youth and older people in Chinese families, the persistence and transformation of Confucian filial norms, and emerging forms of age-based discrimination. Special attention is given to how intergenerational cohesion is articulated in government policy and civil society initiatives. The paper concludes with reflections on China’s efforts to create a “society for all ages” and on possible lessons for Ukraine. The analysis demonstrates that contemporary intergenerational relations in China constitute a dynamic synthesis of enduring cultural traditions and adaptive social innovations that together underpin the nation’s response to population ageing.