Living arrangements and the flow of support between generations in the Philippines

This article is based on 18 focus group discussions (FDGs) conducted among elderly and adult children in varying urban/rural and class contexts. According to most participants, the majority of Filipino elderly prefer co-residence. Co-residence involves various types, each of which is defined according to the resources, needs, and life stage of the family. Although co-residence benefit the elderly and younger family members, it also entails some costs. Mechanisns supporting and weakening co-residence are also discussed in the article. Social change seems to have both positive and negative implications for living arrangements. Further research is needed to specify which conditions lead to which direction and nature of change.