RACE DIFFERENCES IN FILIAL RESPONSIBILITY EXPECTATIONS AMONG OLDER PARENTS

This study examines race differences in the extent to which older pare nts believe that parents are entitled to support from their children. Bivariate analyses show that Blacks have higher filial responsibility expectations than do Whites, and the difference is only marginally att enuated by controls for sociodemographic and other factors. The result s provide tentative evidence of a cultural difference between Blacks a nd Whites, which is consistent with differences in observed levels of support from children and other descendants. in addition, neither high er expectations for assistance from children nor higher levels of actu al assistance appear to deter parents in need from utilizing formal se rvice providers.