In search of ‘intimacy at a distance’: Family history from the perspective of elderly women

Gratton, Brian; Haber, Carole

doi:10.1016/0890-4065(93)90033-g

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Studies examining variations in co-residence by urban-rural areas have not been consistent, and interpretation of the findings is often complicated by cultural norms in rural areas favoring co-residence on one hand, and by declines in availability of children resulting from several waves of out-migration, on the other. Rural surveys in Kenya have found that respondents felt that their children did less than they had (Kinsella 1988), a pattern similar to that found during the process of industrialization in nineteenth century New England (Gratton and Haber 1993) Co-residence with an adult child has been shown to present a central feature of the familial support system for older adults in most countries of the developing world (United Nations 2000) and have implications for the well being of the elderly as well as for other household members (Aytac 1998). Knodel and Ofstedal (2002, pp 177) note that "coresidence with married children will be more responsive to the financial, health and social needs of older parents than is the case for co-residence with unmarried children."…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Living Arrangements of Ever-Married Older Lebanese Women: Is Living with Married Children Advantageous?

Sibai

Beydoun²,

Tohme

2008

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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In many Middle Eastern countries including Lebanon, the family as a social institution is greatly valued and local norms regarding family ties and living arrangements are especially important for older adults, in particular older women. While the presence of an adult child is often seen as responsive to the financial, health and social needs of older parents, it is not clear whether co-residence with married children offers a similar advantage as in the case of co-residence with unmarried children. Using data from a national Population and Housing Survey, this study examines associations of co-residence with adult children among ever-married women aged 65 years and older in Lebanon. Results showed a considerable proportion of elderly women who were living alone (18%) at the time of the survey. Co-residence was more frequent with unmarried than married children, but the gender ratio of the co-residing child varied with the marital status of both the older woman and the child. Moreover, among those co-residing with married children, results indicate a greater likelihood of co-residence with married sons over married daughters. Co-residence with an adult child associated positively with the availability of surviving children and negatively with the socioeconomic status of the woman and her spouse. Compared to other living arrangements, co-residence with a married child entailed the least advantageous Household Socioeconomic Status (HSES) score in terms of housing characteristics, infrastructure, and material possessions, for both married and unmarried women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Living Arrangements of Ever-Married Older Lebanese Women: Is Living with Married Children Advantageous?

Sibai

Beydoun²,

Tohme

2008

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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“…Scholars have noted for decades that older persons in the United States generally prefer to live independent of their adult children, choosing when possible to “purchase their privacy” and opting for “intimacy at a distance” with extended family members (Gratton & Haber, 1993; Kobrin, 1976). Although exceptions to these strong preferences are documented, especially among some minority groups and immigrants (Gurak & Kritz, 2010), living independently is a value shared across many segments of the older population in the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Cost of Living Related to Living Alone Among Older Persons? Evidence From the Elder Economic Security Standard Index

Mutchler

Lyu

et al. 2015

Journal of Family Issues

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This study examines whether the cost of living is related to the probability of living alone among unmarried persons age 65 years and older in the United States. Cost of living is measured at the metropolitan area level by the Elder Economic Security Standard Index, which takes into account geographic variability in cost of housing, food, transportation, and medical care. Using multilevel modeling, we find that higher cost of living is related to a lower likelihood of living alone net of personal resources. Results also show that the gap in the likelihood of living alone between high- and low-income older adults is slightly lessened in low-cost metropolitan areas. We conclude that the price of “purchasing privacy” is substantially higher in some metropolitan areas than in others. These findings inform policies designed to help older adults age in place.

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Old Age Through the Lens of Family History

Haber

2006

Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences

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In search of ‘intimacy at a distance’: Family history from the perspective of elderly women

Cited by 7 publications

References 22 publications

Living Arrangements of Ever-Married Older Lebanese Women: Is Living with Married Children Advantageous?

Living Arrangements of Ever-Married Older Lebanese Women: Is Living with Married Children Advantageous?

Is Cost of Living Related to Living Alone Among Older Persons? Evidence From the Elder Economic Security Standard Index

Old Age Through the Lens of Family History

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