Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 20 (11): 1457-1460, 2014 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.20.11.21080 Corresponding Author: Wan-Ibrahim, W.A: School of Social Development, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. 1457 Reasons Behind the Availability of Family Support of Older Persons in Malaysia W.A. Wan-Ibrahim and I. Zainab 1 2 School of Social Development, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 1 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 2 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Abstract: Family support has been widely assumed to enhance well-being of older persons in society. Many older persons all over the world assumed to receive support from their family members as they become physically dependent. Research conducted in Malaysia suggests family is still the main source of support for the older persons. This article seeks to analyze the reasons why some of the older persons in Malaysia did not receive support from their family members. Data for this study were collected from a survey of 214 respondents aged 60 and above in rural areas in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Result of this article reveals that there are five reasons behind the availability of family support, which are whether the respondents having children in their family; whether the adult children leaving in the same locality with the respondents; whether the respondents having daughter with academic achievement; whether the respondents having neighbors nearby; and the pattern of living arrangement of older persons. In general result reveals that family members in the study area still continue to provide care and support for their aged dependents. Key words: Family support Population aging Demographic change Well-being INTRODUCTION of family support [4]. In developing countries research Population aging represents a human success story important for the well-being of older persons. Thus the of increased longevity [1]. Gerontologists and availability of children in family has been an important demographers recognize that the 21st century will be issue for husband and wife in their marriage. Considering characterized by the aging of the world population. it’s important, many of the couples started to plan the Although developed nations today have relatively high number of children they will have as early as they get proportion of older people in the population, the most married. Although the cost of raising a child is very rapid increases are in developing world [2]. The older expensive, couples still choose to have children in their population aged 65 years and older was estimated to be marriage. Most often the stability of marriage in 426 million in 2000 and 828 million in 2025 which will be 59 developing countries very much depends on whether the percent and 69 percent of this population are shared by couples have children or not in their marriage. developing regions respectively [3]. The widespread People choose to have children for various reasons. normative orientations in developed countries have been Besides the many advantages of having children in identified which stresses the importance of individuality family, much of elderly parents assumed their welfare and and independence. Although the importance of family as well-being in later life will very much depended on their the primary caregiver transcends culture, politics and adult children [5]. This is particularly true in rural areas in economic circumstances worldwide [1], the general climate developing countries where the majority of older persons in Western Europe, for instance do not favor a high level do not covered by pension scheme. Most of these older suggests that support from family members is very