Short-term Reciprocity in Parent-Child Economic Exchanges

Abstract

It is generally argued that the parent-child relationship can only be reciprocal in the long term, in that parents care for their children when they are young, while children care for their parents when they are old, the locus of dependence thus moving from the child to the parent over time (see for example Wall, in this volume, and Finch, 1989). Short-term reciprocity is more likely to occur in other relationships, such as those between siblings or friends. Implicit in such understanding is the notion that reciprocity should be equal and balanced. Thus the relationship between parents and their adolescent children cannot be reciprocal, being based on unequal distribution of power and resources.

The SYPS is jointly funded by the Scottish Education Department, the Industry Department for Scotland, the Training Agency and the Department of Employment. As a Designated Research Centre, The Centre for Educational Sociology also acknowledges the support of the ESRC. My thanks to these sponsors, our respondents, and also to Sara Arber, Cathie Marsh, Janet Finch, and my CES colleagues for their helpful comments. The views expressed are mine alone.