China Social Science Review

No.4, 2022

The Interlocking Structure and Generational Overlap of the Chinese Life Course

(Abstract)

Hu Shan and Zheng Zuoyu

Since reform and opening up, the life course of the Chinese has shown some unique characteristics in the form of formal and informal institutions. On the one hand, it has developed a significant structure, forming a the life course interlocking structure. On the other, there is a generational overlap of the life course between different generations within a family. The interlocking structure and generational overlap mean that if one aims to conduct research on the life course of the Chinese, it is not enough to examine an individual or a single generation; it must be regarded as the interweaving of different generations. The conduct of research should be based on the corresponding analysis and exploration. The two concepts of interlocking structure and generational overlap are the summation and refinement of the morphological characteristics of the life course of the Chinese today, and have expanded related research in domestic academic circles.