Kin availability and the living arrangements of older unmarried women: Canada, 1985

Abstract

A model of the living arrangements of older unmarried women is presented, using data from a 1985 survey of the Canadian population. Living arrangements are represented by a multichotomous variable distinguishing those living alone, with children, with siblings and with others. The hypothesized determinants of living arrangements include income, disability status, the array of available kin and education. Results from a multinomial logit estimation of the model confirm the importance of income, disability and kin availability; particularly interesting is the significant effect of the number of grandchildren on the relative propensities to live alone, with children and with siblings. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]