Policy Press
Seven How to balance generations: solidarity dilemmas in a European perspective
Abstract
Population ageing is a challenge to intergenerational solidarity, both privately within families and publicly in society. Concerns are raised about family as well as societal solidarity. This chapter explores intergenerational solidarity from both the parent and adult child perspective by comparing countries that represent quite different family cultures. It aims to discuss the context and character of intergenerational solidarity to have a better understanding of how ageing and older age is perceived in modern Europe. The findings suggests that filial responsibility norms are stronger and more unconditional in the south, while filial independence is comparatively stronger in the north, as indicated by a preference for services instead of obligating children or other family members. They also indicate that family care is constructed from both sides of the relationships.
Abstract
Population ageing is a challenge to intergenerational solidarity, both privately within families and publicly in society. Concerns are raised about family as well as societal solidarity. This chapter explores intergenerational solidarity from both the parent and adult child perspective by comparing countries that represent quite different family cultures. It aims to discuss the context and character of intergenerational solidarity to have a better understanding of how ageing and older age is perceived in modern Europe. The findings suggests that filial responsibility norms are stronger and more unconditional in the south, while filial independence is comparatively stronger in the north, as indicated by a preference for services instead of obligating children or other family members. They also indicate that family care is constructed from both sides of the relationships.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Notes on contributors vi
- Acknowledgements x
- Foreword xi
- Introduction 1
-
Religion, spirituality, cultural resources and creating meaning
- Religious belonging and spiritual questioning: a Western European perspective on ageing and religion 23
- Spirituality: a means for achieving integration in personal and community spheres in an ageing Singapore 37
- Integrating the sacred in creative ageing 51
- Atheist convictions, Christian beliefs or ‘keeping things open’? Patterns of world views among three generations in East German families 73
- Beyond dialogue: entering the fourth space in old age 91
-
Norms, values and gerontology
- The long road to a moralisation of old age 107
- How to balance generations: solidarity dilemmas in a European perspective 123
- Pension systems and the challenge of population ageing: what does the public think? 139
- Ethos of care and environment in long-stay care settings: impacts on residents’ lives 161
- Engineering substantially prolonged human lifespans: biotechnological enhancement and ethics 177
-
Ageing and wisdom? Conflicts and contested developments
- Wisdom: a humanist approach to valuing older people 201
- Social practices, moral frameworks and religious values in the lives of older people 217
- ‘Woo-hoo, what a ride!’ Older people, life stories and active ageing 233
- Does eldership mean anything in the contemporary West? 249
- Talk about old age, health and morality 261
-
Afterwords
- Exploring positive images of ageing: the production of calendars 277
- Gateways to humanistic gerontology 283
- Index 289
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Notes on contributors vi
- Acknowledgements x
- Foreword xi
- Introduction 1
-
Religion, spirituality, cultural resources and creating meaning
- Religious belonging and spiritual questioning: a Western European perspective on ageing and religion 23
- Spirituality: a means for achieving integration in personal and community spheres in an ageing Singapore 37
- Integrating the sacred in creative ageing 51
- Atheist convictions, Christian beliefs or ‘keeping things open’? Patterns of world views among three generations in East German families 73
- Beyond dialogue: entering the fourth space in old age 91
-
Norms, values and gerontology
- The long road to a moralisation of old age 107
- How to balance generations: solidarity dilemmas in a European perspective 123
- Pension systems and the challenge of population ageing: what does the public think? 139
- Ethos of care and environment in long-stay care settings: impacts on residents’ lives 161
- Engineering substantially prolonged human lifespans: biotechnological enhancement and ethics 177
-
Ageing and wisdom? Conflicts and contested developments
- Wisdom: a humanist approach to valuing older people 201
- Social practices, moral frameworks and religious values in the lives of older people 217
- ‘Woo-hoo, what a ride!’ Older people, life stories and active ageing 233
- Does eldership mean anything in the contemporary West? 249
- Talk about old age, health and morality 261
-
Afterwords
- Exploring positive images of ageing: the production of calendars 277
- Gateways to humanistic gerontology 283
- Index 289
