Children’s gifts to parents motivated by selfishness, economists claim

Challenge to idea of altruism within families has implications for pension system, says study

It is, so we are reminded by an advertising onslaught at this time of year, better to give than receive. But for some, gift-giving is not simply selfless. According to a groundbreaking economic analysis, it is a cynical exercise in maximising future rewards.

New research to be published in the Economic Journal suggests that when giving to their parents, many adult children make decisions based on what they expect to get in return.