Ageing and intergenerational family ties in Arab countries

Abstract

This paper explores the dominant issues in intergenerational ties in Arab countries with a view to highlighting patterns, trends and challenges as well as policy implications. The data were drawn from a review of scholarly work and published literature in Arab countries and from a regional mapping of ageing policies and programmes in 2012. Social and health ageing policies in the region have been set with the premise that the family represents the core safety net for older Arabs. Yet demographic, sociocultural and economic transitions, as well as political conflict in the Arab world, are bringing profound changes to familial structures. This review feeds into efforts to promote health and social reforms that approach intergenerational solidarity from several fronts: providing equitable old-age income security, fostering cross-generational interactions, embracing caregivers and home-based care, promoting age-responsive actions in emergencies and conflicts, and prioritizing context-and country-specific research on the levels, types and trends in intergenerational and familial support.

Care in practice: negotiations regarding care for the elderly in multigenerational Arab Muslim families in Denmark

“…In our conversations, Amne made no secret of the fact that she knows that the social and religious structure of the Arab family gives her a parental power that she used to her advantage. Arab families differ markedly in terms of structure and socialization goals from Western families (Kronfol, 2015). The typical structure of an Arab family is patriarchal and patrilineal: fathers are the family leaders, and mothers are the primary caregivers and disciplinarians.…”

“…This makes it possible to share resources and creates conditions that reinforce emotional and physical support. Studies show that providing care for the elderly has traditionally fallen on daughters and daughters-in-law not only in the Arab countries but also worldwide (Kronfol, 2015;Liversage, 2013;Rytter, 2013;Sunar & Fisek, 2005). Although the female role in the care provided for Amne dominates (see Figs.…”

Family Demographic Transition in Saudi Arabia: Emerging Issues and Concerns

“…Empirically, the phenomenon has been measured over time by demographers through indicators reflecting changes in size, structure, and composition of families. In addition, ratios pave the way for comparisons as well as changes over time and serve as the basis for promoting health and security within the intergenerational social order (El-Haddad, 2003;Kronfol et al, 2016).…”

“…Other factors that have led to the decrease in extended families include personal preferences about childbearing, income levels, government incentives, and global cultural influences (DeSilva, 2003). However, such changes have removed the safety net offered by families, especially for children and the aged (Kronfol et al, 2016). Extended families have served as pillars of care, values, and culture in the Arab society acting as reservoirs of culture, tradition, and values, thus playing a role in social and cultural stability.…”

Ageing and health in the Arab region: Challenges, opportunities and the way forward

“…This is occurring alongside the decline of multigenerational family structures in the region, and when migration and displacement, forced or voluntary, have reached record numbers. Such processes have contributed towards a weakening of family ties and a diminished number of family members available for the provision of home-based care (Kronfol et al, 2016). In spite of this, Arab governments have not yet sufficiently prioritized such new realities and emerging challenges of ageing populations, and policy responses have been subsequently weak.…”