ABSTRACT

In what way are adult generations connected by money? Who gives, who receives? This chapter concentrates on monetary transfers from parents to adult children. The focus is on current financial assistance and gifts. Of particular interest are the resources of parents and the needs of children. How important is the financial situation of the transfer giver? Does every daughter and every son receive something, or are needs the main trigger of such transfers? Moreover, are siblings competitors when it comes to receiving (larger) sums of money from their parents? Is there reciprocity of money and time? Can we detect linkages between private and public transfers? Another crucial theme is the connection between private transfers and social inequality.