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‘What are Families For?’: On Family Solidarity and Preference for Help*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Svein Olav Daatland
Svein Olav Daatland
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute of Gerontology, Oscarsgt. 36, 0258 Oslo 2, Norway.
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Abstract

Norwegian elderly people today are clearly more aware of public help and services compared to the late 1960s, and a growing number of them prefer public rather than family help. A study in Oslo found that a majority would turn to the public services when in need of long-term help, even when children were living close by. Children or other informal helpers were preferred over the public services only when there was a need for short-term assistance. The growing preference for public help is taken primarily as a response to increased availability of public services, and not as a reflection of weaker inter-generational solidarity.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , March 1990 , pp. 1 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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References

NOTES

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