Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T22:03:39.186Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Older Parents and their Middle-Aged Children: Symmetry or Asymmetry in their Relationship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Kees Knipscheer  and
Anton Bevers
Kees Knipscheer
Affiliation:
University of Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Anton Bevers
Affiliation:
University of Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study focussed on aspects of the relationship between older parents and their middle aged children. Interviews with 74 parents and with one of their children informed us about topics and perceptions relevant in this intergenerational relationship. Data were analysed in terms of agreements and disagreements between parent and child, and of perceived agreements and disagreements. Four items were selected for closer analysis as they exhibited both a high amount of disagreement and a low amount of perceived disagreement. These findings are discussed in terms of the developmental stake theory, a metaorientation and assymmetry in the parent-child relationship.

Résumé

Cette étude porte sur quelques aspects de la relation entre des parents âgés et leurs enfants de 40 à 50 ans.

Nous avons fait des interviews avec 74 parents et également avec l'un de leurs enfants. Elles nous ont révélé quelques thèmes et perceptions pertinents dans les relations entre les deux générations. Les données ont été analysées en termes d'accords et de désaccords—aussi bien objectifs que subjectifs—entre l'enfant et le parent interviewé. Quatre thèmes ont été soumis à une analyse plus détaillée parce que le degré élevé de désaccord objectif s'accompagne d'un faille degré de désaccord subjectif.

La discussion de ces données est menée dans le cadre de la “developmental stake theory” et par rapport aux notions de métaorientation et d'asymétrie dans les relations entre parents et enfants.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , September 1985 , pp. 145 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Anthes, J. (1978). Familiënbeziehungen alterer Menschen. In Dieck, M. und Naegele, G. (Eds.) Sozialpolitik für ältere Menschen. Heidelberg: Quelle and Meyr.Google Scholar
Bengtson, V. L., Mangen, D. J., & Landry P.H. Jr. (1984). The multi-generation family: Concepts and findings. In V. Garms-Homolovd, Hoerning, E. & Schaeffer, D. (Eds.), Intergenerational relationships. Toronto: Hogrefe Inc.Google Scholar
Bengtson, V. L. & Kuypers, J. A. (1971). Generational differences and the developmental stake. Aging and Human Development, 2, 249–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bengtson, V. L. & Cutler, N. E. (1976). Generations and intergenerational relations, perspectives on age groups and social change. In Binstock, R. & Shanas, E. (Eds.), Handbook of aging and the social sciences. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.Google Scholar
Bengtson, V. L. & Black, D. K. (1973). Solidarity between parents and children: four perspectives on theory development. Paper, Theory Development Workshop, National Council on Family Relations.Google Scholar
Bevers, A. (1982). Oudere mensen en hun kinderen, Nijmegen, intern rapport. Social Instituut.Google Scholar
Burr, W. R., Leigh, G. K., Day, R. D., & Constantine, J. (1979). Symbolic interaction and the family. In Burr, W., Hill, R., Nye, F. I. & Reiss, I. L. (Eds.). Contemporary theories about the family (Vol. 2). New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Dowd, J. J. (1980). Stratification among the aged. Monterey, CAL.: Brooks/Cole.Google Scholar
Hagestad, G. O. (1984). Multi-generational families: socialization, support and strain. In Garms-Homolova, V., Hoerning, E., Schaeffer, D. (Eds.). Intergenerational relationships. Toronto: Hogrefe Inc.Google Scholar
Hill, R. & Associates (1970). Family development in three generations. Cambridge, Mass.: Schenkman.Google Scholar
Knipscheer, K. (C.P.M.) (1984). The quality of the relationship between elderly people and their adult children. In Garms-Homolovd, V., Hoerning, E. & Schaeffer, D. (Eds.). Intergenerational relationships. Toronto: Hogrefe Inc.Google Scholar
Lee, G. R. (1980). Kinship in the seventies, a decade review of research and theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 42, 923–934.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, setfand society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Pitrou, A. (1976). Relations entre generations et insertion sociale. (these de doctorate). Aix-en-Provence.Google Scholar
Ross, E. A. (1921). Principles of Sociology Century.Google Scholar
Teeland, L. (1978). Keeping in touch. Gothenburg: University of Gothenburg.Google Scholar
Waller, W. & Hill, R. (1951). The family. New York: The Dryden Press.Google Scholar
Weihl, H. (1977). The household, intergenerational relations and social policy. In Shanas, E. & Sussman, M. B. (Eds.). Family, bureaucracy and the elderly. Durham N. C.: Duke University Press.Google Scholar
Wolff, K. H. (1964). The sociology of Georg Simmel. London: The Free Press of Glencoe.Google Scholar