Life course and family dynamics in a comparative perspective 2002-2010

Used large-scale and nationally representative household survey data to explore the experience of individuals and families in China, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Moreover, because all respondents of these surveys have been followed through the years and were interviewed multiple times, we gain a deeper insight into how their experiences change over time. We focus on the key issues that confront people at four stages of their life: (1) child development and schooling, (2) transition to adulthood, (3) security and well-being in middle life, and (4) intergenerational support and well-being in later life. The Stata do files harmonise elements of data from wave 1 of the following household panel surveys: Understanding Society (UK), Socio-Economic Panel (Germany), Panel Study of Income Dynamics (US), China Family Panel Survey (China), Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (the Netherlands). This facilitates cross-national comparative analyses of socioeconomic status of individuals and their life course and family dynamics.

Important social changes are taking place in both China and Europe. They present the two regions with some common challenges, including rising economic inequality, heightened migration, regional imbalance and population ageing. What are the implications of these social changes for the life course of individuals and families? China and Europe do have different histories, social institutions and cultural traditions. Do they create different kinds of risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities for their citizens? What can Chinese and European scholars, policy-makers and other stakeholders learn from each other's experiences as they formulate policy responses to the common challenges confronting them.

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