Abstract: The existing studies on the support for the rural empty-nesters have put forward many systematic suggestions and countermeasures, but have ignored the initiative and spontaneity of the rural community in the aspects of support function for the elderly. Three cases of mutual support for the aged in Qiantun village, “dumpling feast” in Sunjiazhai and the elderly association of Jingjiazhuang show that rural community has the ability of initiative adaptive adjustment in facing the problem of support for the empty-nesters and develops organized self governance with its endogenous empowerment. The legitimacy of the endogenous empowerment experience should be affirmed and included in the community governance of “The Three Social linkage”.

Key words: endogenous empowerment, rural community, empty-nesters, adaptive adjustment