An exploratory investigation into dating among later‐life women

“I'm Mother! I Can Take Care of Myself!”: A Contrapuntal Analysis of Older Parents' Relational Talk with Their Adult Children

“…According to Baxter (2011), researchers conducting contrapuntal analyses must rely on their own knowledge of cultural discourses to understand the meaning of a given textual segment. Given the value placed on independence in Western culture, as well as previous literature showing that older individuals value their autonomy (e.g., Dickson et al, 2005;Hummert, 1994;Pawlowski, 2006), we examined the data for textual segments that highlighted discourses of (in)dependence. Using these predefined discourses as a sensitizing tool (see Baxter, 2011, p. 159), we identified how parents marginalized a discourse of dependence in favor of the more valued discourse of independence.…”

“…First, previous literature suggests that older individuals value feelings of an autonomous identity and consider that this identity is threatened by an emotional or physical dependence on another individual (Dickson, Hughes, & Walker, 2005;Hummert, 1994;Pawlowski, 2006). Throughout the lifespan, struggles for autonomy influence the power and conflict parents and children experience in their relationships (Fingerman, 1995;Maccoby & Martin, 1983;Pecchioni & Nussbaum, 2001).…”

To date or not to date, that is the question: older single gay men's concerns about dating

“…Consistent with that, they were keen to remain independent (Dickson et al, 2005). They often associated dating with loss of independence because the men they dated wanted marriage (Calasanti & Kiecolt, 2007;Dickson et al, 2005). They expressed concern that a potential remarriage might entail an unequal division of labour (Davidson, 2002, p. 57).…”

“…Although the research on older people and dating is limited (Sassler, 2010), work has been undertaken to establish whether or not older people want to date (Calasanti & Kiecolt, 2007;Davidson, 2002;Dickson, Hughes, & Walker, 2005). These studies identified that, among older people, those who are younger and male are more likely to express a desire to repartner.…”

“…Many older widows were opposed to remarriage or considered it impossible (Talbott, 1998). Consistent with that, they were keen to remain independent (Dickson et al, 2005). They often associated dating with loss of independence because the men they dated wanted marriage (Calasanti & Kiecolt, 2007;Dickson et al, 2005).…”