Financial transfers between generations in Sweden

• DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x04003150
• Publication Date: 2005-04-25T13:01:02Z
• Authors: JOHAN FRITZELL; CARIN LENNARTSSON
• Keywords: Social Mobility; Social Stratification; Overlapping generations model

This study has examined the flow of financial transfers between generations in Sweden, measured as support form relatively large money transactions or gifts over 12 months. Two questions are considered: is there a net downward Swedish welfare state and, if so, differences according to gender and social class? The were tested using data from two linked nationally representative large-scale surveys. results show that almost all inter-generational downward, older younger generations. Unlike earlier studies transfers, analysis focuses on inequality, reveal clear class income gradients. Both giving receiving more common among people higher strata. A gradient unmarried (single) recipients was also found, whereby women often received than men. paper concludes with discussion implications for stratification inequality. From static cross-sectional perspective, suggest neutral even equality promoting, but dynamic lifecourse interpretation suggests transmit reinforce inequalities