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Intergenerational Emotional Interaction in Aging Society: Changes and Reflections under Social Pressure

Author(s)

Hou Wenyan*

Affiliation(s)

School of Political Science and Law, University of Jinan, Jinan, China *Conresponding Author

Abstract

With the acceleration of population aging, intergenerational emotional interaction has become a critical dimension of family relations and social integration. Understanding its transformation under contemporary social conditions is essential for both theoretical development and policy design in aging societies. Drawing on a qualitative research design, this study utilizes in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 42 participants from younger and older generations to examine how modern social pressures reshape intergenerational emotional interaction. Focusing on the frequency, modes, and emotional content of interaction, the study analyzes the combined effects of work and economic pressure, urbanization-induced spatial separation, and the digital divide. The findings reveal a structural tension conceptualized as "stable emotional identification but imbalanced interaction." While emotional attachment and normative commitment between generations remain relatively stable, everyday interaction has become less frequent, more fragmented, and increasingly instrumental. This imbalance reflects the constraints imposed by broader socio-structural conditions on the enactment of emotional ties. Furthermore, traditional cultural values, particularly filial piety, continue to function as a moderating mechanism that sustains emotional identification despite reduced interaction. However, existing institutional arrangements remain insufficient in supporting sustained and meaningful intergenerational emotional exchange. The study contributes to the literature by integrating multiple structural pressures into a unified analytical framework and by highlighting the shift from function-based dependence to emotion-based connection in intergenerational relations. It also underscores the need for coordinated interventions, including family-supportive labor policies, community-based interaction platforms, and digital inclusion initiatives, to strengthen intergenerational emotional bonds in aging societies.

Keywords

Population Aging; Intergenerational Emotional Interaction; Social Pressure; Structural Constraints; Family Cohesion

References

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