Analysis on the Effect of the Difference of Couple's Bargaining Power on the Caregiving Behavior to Their Old Parents——Empirical Evidence from CHARLS Data

Based on the latest China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS) survey data and employing Nash bargaining model, this paper examines the effect of the difference of couple's bargaining power on the caregiving behavior to their old parents. Three main findings are as follows: First, the relationship between couples and elderly parents is indeed affected by different kinds of bargaining power. If the wife's education or occupational status is higher than the husband's, the wife may transfer more time to her own parents. On the contrary, the result is more complicated for husband. Second, the status between parents and in-laws also influence the allocation of family resource. Third, consistent with the gendered nature of parental care, a sister's likelihood care can decrease the couple provided care. This study can make us have a better understanding of the course of family decision