Cross-national Differences in Intergenerational Family Relations: The Influence of Public Policy Arrangements

Abstract

Focusing mostly on Europe, this overview reveals how the research on cross-national differences in intergenerational family relations has moved from basic descriptions to a focus on understanding how support exchanges are shaped by macro-level processes. A key issue concerns generational interdependence, the extent to which public policy arrangements impose reliance on older and younger family members or enable individual autonomy. Real theoretical progress is visible in three areas of research. The first pertains to analyses at the micro level of how family members actually respond to the incentives that different macro contexts provide. The generosity or restrictedness of public provisions variably releases or necessitates normative obligations in interdependent family relationships. The second area of progress involves analyses of the implications of specific policies rather than policy packages for gender and socioeconomic inequality. The third area of progress is a more nuanced view on the familialism–individualism divide. These three areas provide inspiring examples for future investigations.

Monitoring trends and differences in COVID-19 case-fatality rates using decomposition methods: Contributions of age structure and age-specific fatality

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A Decade of Research on Intergenerational Ties: Technological, Economic, Political, and Demographic Changes

“…Likewise, cross‐cultural comparisons find that values (as well as economic circumstances) shape the population likelihood of coresidence. The rates of coresidence in Northern Europe are relatively low, whereas the rates of coresidence in Southern Europe are high; researchers have noted the public policies that contribute to these patterns (Dykstra, ; Newman, ). Families in Southern European countries value intergenerational coresidence more than families in Northern European countries.…”

Neighborhood‐based social capital and cognitive function among older adults in five low‐ and middle‐income countries: Evidence from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health

“…Most high‐income countries have relatively well‐established health and social care systems in the neighborhood settings. Families and communities play a coordinating role in caring for older adults as family support is complemented by professional care services . In LMICs, on the other hand, have comparatively limited resources available for older adults and their family .…”

“…Families and communities play a coordinating role in caring for older adults as family support is complemented by professional care services. 14,26 In LMICs, on the other hand, have comparatively limited resources available for older adults and their family. 2,15 Although LMICs are diverse societies with significant differences in socioeconomic development, health care system, culture, and neighborhood structures, they all had experienced rapid demographic transitions and economic development, increased urbanization, and high inequality since the mid-20 th century.…”