Multigenerational coresidence and parental time in developmental childcare in China

Previous literature has examined how multigenerational coresidence changes parental time in primary childcare. However, much less is known about how coresidence may affect the amount of time parents invest in developmental childcare, which is crucial for children's education and life chances. Using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010-2018, we examine how parental time investment in developmental childcare varies by household structure and parental and grandparental education. Results suggest that coresidence with maternal grandparents increases mothers' time in developmental childcare among children with high-educated parents. Moreover, the positive effect of matrilocal residence on maternal time investment is greatest for children in families with high levels of education, where both parental and grandparental education levels are high. These results suggest that for highly educated families in China, matrilocal residence may be a strategic arrangement to allow parents to invest more time in their children's education, producing multigenerational advantages through intergenerational cooperation between parents and grandparents.

Automated summary

Previous studies have focused on how multigenerational coresidence affects parental time in primary childcare. This study examines the impact of coresidence on parents' time investment in developmental childcare, which is crucial for children's education and life chances. The findings reveal that mothers who live with their maternal grandparents spend more time on developmental childcare when they have high levels of education. Moreover, the positive effect of matrilocal residence on maternal time investment is most significant in families with high levels of parental and grandparental education.