Intergenerational family support among blacks and whites: response to culture or to socioeconomic differences.

Factors that influence family helping behavior are examined and comparisons are made between black and white families. The question of whether family differences are due to culture or socioeconomic reasons is asked. In the analysis, tests are made for the main and interactive effects of race. Black elderly parents give and receive more help than white elderly parents after controlling for age and sex; however the greater amount of help that is received by older blacks is, to a large extent, the result of socioeconomic factors. The increased amount of help that they give to the middle and younger generations appears to be a combination of cultural and socioeconomic factors. Among black families, attitudes of respect for each generation play a part in determining family support behavior.