China's senior citizens are starting to abandon the centuries-old tradition of "four generations under one roof" and opting for independence, according to a survey in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing.
Over half of the senior citizens surveyed choose not to live with their children, according to the survey conducted jointly by the Municipal Committee on Ageing and the Municipal Gerontics Society.
The finding was based on the responses of some 400 senior citizens' associations and over 100 individuals, said Chen Xinyuan,an official with the Municipal Committee on Ageing.
"Many senior citizens choose not to live with their children because of their different values and ways of life," said Chen.
While the majority of the respondents believe an ideal way to spend their retirement is to live in their own apartments close totheir children's homes, the survey found that more females than males prefer an independent life, and those in their early 60s tend to have a stronger desire for privacy compared with those in their 70s and 80s.
Retired doctors, officials and teachers, backed by a stable pension income and diversity of life, seem to enjoy independence more than veteran workers and peasants.
Low income, poor health, inadequate housing, boredom and children's disrespect are among the main factors most respondents say affected the quality of their retired life. But nearly 90 percent of the people surveyed say they can vent their depression by taking things easy and chatting with friends.
While few respondents say they need intensive care at home or asenior citizens' center, most people say they would like to get laundry, cooking and medical services at home.
Statistics show Chongqing has 3.68 million people aged above 60,about 11 percent of its population.
(People's Daily February 27, 2003)
