Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"

Yueying Li; Zhongkai Li

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"

Yueying Li, Zhongkai Li

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 10, Issue 6)

Received: 14 November 2022 Accepted: 28 November 2022 Published: 8 December 2022

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Abstract

China's aging population is increasingly studied. There are a considerable number of elderly women living alone in rural areas, but less attention has been paid to this group. This study is based on Bourdieu's "field-habitus" theory, the research methods of questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to investigate the pension situation of 126 rural elderly women living alone in the triple disadvantaged position of region, age and gender. It is found that their pension situation is the result of the co-variation of the rural field, habit shaping and capital accumulation. The plight of the elderly women living alone in rural areas is mainly due to insufficient economic support, inadequate life care providers and lack of spiritual comfort. The reason lies in the limitation of the rural old-age care field: the limitation of the existing national policy, the heavy household expenditure, the decline of traditional filial piety and Vulnerability of rural elderly women living alone; The drag of the old age habit: the habit of raising children for old age, the habit of "exchange of upbringing and support" between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the habit of "valuing the young over the old"; Lack of capital in the pension field: economic capital and cultural capital are ignored, emotional capital is unstable, social capital is lacking and symbolic capital is weakened. So we need to find a way out from improving the rural pension field, changing the habitus that is not conducive to pension and increasing the personal capital of pension.

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 10, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
Page(s)	386-392
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Plight, "Field-Habitus", Elderly Women Living Alone, China

References

[1]	National Bureau of Statistics: The seventh National Bureau of Population Statistics [EB/OL]. [2021-10-25]. http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/zxfb/202105/t20210510_1817176.html.
[2]	Wang L. (2017). An Analysis on Elderly Living alone and Their Living Problems: A Preliminary Observation based on Tabulate Data of Census in 2000 and 2010. Scientific Research on Aging, (7): 32-41.
[3]	Juhua Yang, Susu Wang, & Yifeng Liu. (2019). Years of China: Analysis on the Trend of Population Aging. Journal of Population Sciences, (4): 30-42.
[4]	Xu Bin. (2019). Study on the Influencing Factors of Poverty Among Rural Elderly Women From the Perspective of Life Course. Rural Economy, (5): 77-84.
[5]	He Xin, Huang Xinbo, Zhou & Yuhong. (2020). The Living Arrangement, Income Structure and Poverty Vulnerability of the Rural Elderly. Chinese Rural Economy (6): 126-144.
[6]	Chen, F., & Short, S. E. (2008). Household Context and Subjective Well-Being Among the Oldest Old in China. Journal of Family Issues, 29 (10): 1379—1403. doi: 10.1177/0192513X07313602
[7]	Wei Yan. (2017). “Discriminatory support”or “Equivalent Support"? A Study of Married Women's Intergenerational Support in Rural China. Essays on Women's Studies, (3): 16-39.
[8]	Dong Tingyue. (2017). The Influence of Social Support on loneliness Among Chinese elderly: Based on the 2014 Chinese Elderly Social Tracking Survey. Research World, (8): 3-9. doi: 10.13778/j.cnki.11-3705/c.2017.08.001
[9]	Gaymu J, & Springer S.(2010). Living Conditions and Life Satisfaction of Older Europeans Living Alone: A Gender and Cross-Country Analysis. Ageing & Society, (30): 1153-1175. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X10000231
[10]	Zhou Rong, Li Guangqin, & Wang Juan. (2020). Effects of intergenerational living distance on loneliness among elderly living alone: An empirical analysis of 2661 urban elderly living alone. Population of Northwest China (6): 102-114. doi: 10.15884/j.cnki.issn.1007-0672.2020.06.009
[11]	Lenal, Lim, & Tze Pin N., (2010). Living Aone, Lack of a Confidant and Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Women in Singapore: the Mediating Role of loneline. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, (2): 33-40. Doi: 10.1080/17441730.2012.646842
[12]	Bourdieu, Pierre, & Huacander. (1988). Practice and Reflection: A Guide to Reflective Sociology. Li Meng, Li Kang Trans., Trans. Beijing: Central Compilation Press.
[13]	Pierre Bourdieu. (2005). The Social Structures of the Econom. Cambridge: Polity Press.
[14]	Bourdieu. (1986). The forms of capital. New York: Green word Press.
[15]	Shen Yifei. (2009). Post-patriarchy China: Changes of Power Relations within Urban Families and Society. Journal of Guangxi University for Nationalities (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), (6): 43-50.
[16]	Anderson, James. (1990). Public Decision Making. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House.

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Yueying Li, Zhongkai Li. (2022). Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(6), 386-392. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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Yueying Li; Zhongkai Li. Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2022, 10(6), 386-392. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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Yueying Li, Zhongkai Li. Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanit Soc Sci. 2022;10(6):386-392. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15,
  author = {Yueying Li and Zhongkai Li},
  title = {Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {386-392},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20221006.15},
  abstract = {China's aging population is increasingly studied. There are a considerable number of elderly women living alone in rural areas, but less attention has been paid to this group. This study is based on Bourdieu's "field-habitus" theory, the research methods of questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to investigate the pension situation of 126 rural elderly women living alone in the triple disadvantaged position of region, age and gender. It is found that their pension situation is the result of the co-variation of the rural field, habit shaping and capital accumulation. The plight of the elderly women living alone in rural areas is mainly due to insufficient economic support, inadequate life care providers and lack of spiritual comfort. The reason lies in the limitation of the rural old-age care field: the limitation of the existing national policy, the heavy household expenditure, the decline of traditional filial piety and Vulnerability of rural elderly women living alone; The drag of the old age habit: the habit of raising children for old age, the habit of "exchange of upbringing and support" between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the habit of "valuing the young over the old"; Lack of capital in the pension field: economic capital and cultural capital are ignored, emotional capital is unstable, social capital is lacking and symbolic capital is weakened. So we need to find a way out from improving the rural pension field, changing the habitus that is not conducive to pension and increasing the personal capital of pension.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"
AU  - Yueying Li
AU  - Zhongkai Li
Y1  - 2022/12/08
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 386
EP  - 392
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
AB  - China's aging population is increasingly studied. There are a considerable number of elderly women living alone in rural areas, but less attention has been paid to this group. This study is based on Bourdieu's "field-habitus" theory, the research methods of questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to investigate the pension situation of 126 rural elderly women living alone in the triple disadvantaged position of region, age and gender. It is found that their pension situation is the result of the co-variation of the rural field, habit shaping and capital accumulation. The plight of the elderly women living alone in rural areas is mainly due to insufficient economic support, inadequate life care providers and lack of spiritual comfort. The reason lies in the limitation of the rural old-age care field: the limitation of the existing national policy, the heavy household expenditure, the decline of traditional filial piety and Vulnerability of rural elderly women living alone; The drag of the old age habit: the habit of raising children for old age, the habit of "exchange of upbringing and support" between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the habit of "valuing the young over the old"; Lack of capital in the pension field: economic capital and cultural capital are ignored, emotional capital is unstable, social capital is lacking and symbolic capital is weakened. So we need to find a way out from improving the rural pension field, changing the habitus that is not conducive to pension and increasing the personal capital of pension.
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Yueying Li

Marxism Institute, Taishan University, Tai’an, China
Zhongkai Li

Department of Midwifery, Taishan Vocational College of Nuring, Tai’an, China

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Yueying Li, Zhongkai Li. (2022). Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(6), 386-392. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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ACS Style

Yueying Li; Zhongkai Li. Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2022, 10(6), 386-392. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

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AMA Style

Yueying Li, Zhongkai Li. Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus". Humanit Soc Sci. 2022;10(6):386-392. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15,
  author = {Yueying Li and Zhongkai Li},
  title = {Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {386-392},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20221006.15},
  abstract = {China's aging population is increasingly studied. There are a considerable number of elderly women living alone in rural areas, but less attention has been paid to this group. This study is based on Bourdieu's "field-habitus" theory, the research methods of questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to investigate the pension situation of 126 rural elderly women living alone in the triple disadvantaged position of region, age and gender. It is found that their pension situation is the result of the co-variation of the rural field, habit shaping and capital accumulation. The plight of the elderly women living alone in rural areas is mainly due to insufficient economic support, inadequate life care providers and lack of spiritual comfort. The reason lies in the limitation of the rural old-age care field: the limitation of the existing national policy, the heavy household expenditure, the decline of traditional filial piety and Vulnerability of rural elderly women living alone; The drag of the old age habit: the habit of raising children for old age, the habit of "exchange of upbringing and support" between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the habit of "valuing the young over the old"; Lack of capital in the pension field: economic capital and cultural capital are ignored, emotional capital is unstable, social capital is lacking and symbolic capital is weakened. So we need to find a way out from improving the rural pension field, changing the habitus that is not conducive to pension and increasing the personal capital of pension.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Plight of Elderly Women Living Alone in Rural China: Based on the Theory of "Field-Habitus"
AU  - Yueying Li
AU  - Zhongkai Li
Y1  - 2022/12/08
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 386
EP  - 392
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20221006.15
AB  - China's aging population is increasingly studied. There are a considerable number of elderly women living alone in rural areas, but less attention has been paid to this group. This study is based on Bourdieu's "field-habitus" theory, the research methods of questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to investigate the pension situation of 126 rural elderly women living alone in the triple disadvantaged position of region, age and gender. It is found that their pension situation is the result of the co-variation of the rural field, habit shaping and capital accumulation. The plight of the elderly women living alone in rural areas is mainly due to insufficient economic support, inadequate life care providers and lack of spiritual comfort. The reason lies in the limitation of the rural old-age care field: the limitation of the existing national policy, the heavy household expenditure, the decline of traditional filial piety and Vulnerability of rural elderly women living alone; The drag of the old age habit: the habit of raising children for old age, the habit of "exchange of upbringing and support" between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the habit of "valuing the young over the old"; Lack of capital in the pension field: economic capital and cultural capital are ignored, emotional capital is unstable, social capital is lacking and symbolic capital is weakened. So we need to find a way out from improving the rural pension field, changing the habitus that is not conducive to pension and increasing the personal capital of pension.
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

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