TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kohler, Iliana
A1  - Kohler, Hans-Peter
A1  - Behrman, Jere
A1  - Anglewicz, Phil
T1  - Intergenerational Transfers in the Era of HIV/AIDS: Evidence from Rural Malawi
Y1  - 2012/12/13
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 775
EP  - 834
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2012.27.27
VL  - 27
IS  - 27
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol27/27/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol27/27/27-27.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol27/27/27-27.pdf
N2  - Background: Intergenerational transfer patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly understood, despite
the alleged importance of support networks to ameliorate the complex implications of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic for families. 

Objective: There is a considerable need for research on intergenerational support networks and transfers to better understand the mechanisms through which extended families cope with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and potentially alleviate some of ist consequences in sub-Saharan
Africa, and to comprehend how transfers respond—or not—to perceptions about own and
other family members’ health. 

Methods: Using the 2008 round of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH),
we estimate the age patterns and the multiple directions of financial and non-financial transfer flows in rural Malawi - from prime-aged respondents to their elderly parents and adult children age 15 and up. We also estimate the social, demographic and economic correlates of financial and non-financial transfers of financial intergenerational transfers in this context. 

Results: Our findings are that: (1) intergenerational financial and non-financial transfers are widespread and a key characteristic of family relationships in rural Malawi; (2) downward and
upward transfers are importantly constrained and determined by the availability of transfer
partners (parents or adult children); (3) financial net transfers are strongly age-patterned
and the middle generations are net-providers of transfers; (4) non-financial transfers are
based on mutual assistance rather than reallocation of resources; and (5) intergenerational
transfers are generally not related to health status, including HIV positive status. 

ER  -