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Getting out of the House: The Effect of Childlessness on Social Participation and Companionship in Later Life*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Ingrid Arnet Connidis  and
Julie Ann McMullin
Ingrid Arnet Connidis
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
Julie Ann McMullin
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
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Abstract

Using data from a Canadian national sample, participation in three activities - going to public places, travel, and going on outings - in a sample of 4,258 respondents aged 55 and over is examined. OLS regression results indicate that the childless go to public places and travel as frequently as parents and go on outings more frequently than parents. Significant differences are also found for gender, marital status, health, and education. Logistic regression results indicate that the childless are more likely to seek companionship with friends and other relatives than are parents. However, gender and marital status are more often significant predictors of source of companionship than is parent status. We conclude that the childless negotiate unique social participation networks which ensure social participation outside the home.

Résumé

En se basant sur des données extraites d'une enquête menée au Canada, on a examiné la participation de 4 258 personnes âgées de 55 ans et plus à trois types d'activités: fréquenter des lieux publics, voyager et sortir. Les résultats obtenus à l'aide du modèle de régression OLS indiquent que les personnes sans enfants fréquentent des lieux publics ou voyagent aussi souvent que celles qui ont des enfants. Par contre, elles sortent plus souvent. On remarque aussi d'importantes différences selon le sexe, l'état matrimonial, l'état de santé et le niveau d'éducation des participants. Les résultats obtenus grâce au modèle de régression logistique indiquent que les personnes sans enfants sont plus portées à rechercher la compagnie d'autrui auprès d'amis et d'autres parents que les personnes qui ont des enfants. Le sexe et l'état matrimonial sont toutefois souvent de plus importants indicateurs du type de compagnie recherchée que ne l'est le fait d'être un parent. Nous concluons que les personnes sans enfants tissent autour d'elles des réseaux uniques de participation sociale qui leur permettent d'être actives socialement à l'extérieur de la maison.

Keywords

ChildlessnessSocial ParticipationNetworksSocial SupportGenderMarital Status.Sans enfantparticipation socialeréseausupport socialsexestatut matrimonial.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , Winter/hiver 1992 , pp. 370 - 386
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1992

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