Introduction

Parkes, Colin Murray; Laungani, Pittu; Young, Bill

doi:10.4324/9781315721088-1

Cited by 20 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…Although the death of a child is a particularly traumatic event in all cultures (Parkes et al, 1997), we would expect that parental responses to the death of a son versus a daughter would vary by their culture’s preference for male or female children. Studies using data from Western countries have not found any evidence that the sex of a deceased child predicts parental wellbeing.…”

Section: Death Of a Child And Parental Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Death of a child and parental wellbeing in old age: Evidence from Taiwan

Lee

Glei

Weinstein

et al. 2014

Social Science & Medicine

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The death of a child is one of the most traumatic events that a parent can experience. The psychological and physical consequences of bereavement are well established, and the consequences are more severe for mothers than fathers. However, little is known about how the death of an adult child affects parental wellbeing in old age or how the deceased child’s sex may moderate the association. We use data from the Taiwanese Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA) to investigate how the death of a son or a daughter differentially affects the wellbeing of older parents, measured by depressive symptoms and self-rated health. We find that for mothers, a son’s death is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms and a decline in self-rated health, but fathers’ health is not adversely affected by a son’s death. There is little evidence that a daughter’s death has a negative effect on either maternal or paternal wellbeing. We situate these findings within their social and cultural contexts and discuss social policies that would reduce gender and health inequality.

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Section: Death Of a Child And Parental Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Death of a child and parental wellbeing in old age: Evidence from Taiwan

Lee

Glei

Weinstein

et al. 2014

Social Science & Medicine

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“…However, given the availability of high-quality video footage, we present a valid case of unique non-human animal behaviour which could shed light on the evolution of behaviours that are believed to be typically human. Death responses represent core features of human civilization, with great diversity in mortuary rites found across cultures 16 . In general, for animals critically depending on group living 17 , like humans and chimpanzees, responding to death may be a means to reorganize the social unit, especially when so-called “brokers” die: individuals who play an important role in maintaining group cohesion by connecting sub-groups 18 19 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tool use for corpse cleaning in chimpanzees

Leeuwen

Cronin

Haun³

2017

Sci Rep

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For the first time, chimpanzees have been observed using tools to clean the corpse of a deceased group member. A female chimpanzee sat down at the dead body of a young male, selected a firm stem of grass, and started to intently remove debris from his teeth. This report contributes novel behaviour to the chimpanzee’s ethogram, and highlights how crucial information for reconstructing the evolutionary origins of human mortuary practices may be missed by refraining from developing adequate observation techniques to capture non-human animals’ death responses.

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“…Rituals are simpler and shorter to lessen family pain; children are considered innocent angels and they go directly to heaven after death. Puerto Rican practices include dressing children in white, face painting to resemble angels and placing flowers outside and inside the coffin (Parkes, Laungani, & Young, 1997). Some cultures bury infants in reserved parts of cemeteries or in exclusively children’s cemeteries.…”

Section: Infant and Child Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Death Rituals Reported by White, Black, and Hispanic Parents Following the ICU Death of an Infant or Child

Brooten

Youngblut

Charles

et al. 2016

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

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Purpose To examine rituals (disposing remains, wakes, funerals/burials, celebrations) of White, Black, Hispanic parents post ICU infant/child death. Design and methods Qualitative design, 63 parents completed English or Spanish semi-structured interviews at 7 & 13 months after infant’s/child’s death. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and entered into Atlas.ti for analysis. An inductive approach to thematization was used to develop codes. Results Parents: mean age 35.1 years (SD = 9.03); 33% Black, 27% White, 40% Hispanic; from 17 countries. Three themes emerged: immediately after death - shock and stress, needing help with arrangements, decisions on burial or cremation (conflicts due to finances, religion, culture), when and where to hold wakes, funerals/burials. Wakes and funerals - who prepares child’s body, appropriate dress (deceased child, mourners), who can come (cultural restrictions),-variations by child age, parent choice, culture, religion, country. After burial/cremation - being with family, milestone celebrations. Conclusion Child death is devastating for parents, other children, grandparents, and family members. Practice Implications. Rituals after child death require decisions about the child’s remains, wakes, funerals/burials at time of great pain for parents. This is especially true for newly immigrated parents and those with language barriers where making arrangements is especially hard and often very isolating. Health professionals who provide support need to be cognizant of practice differences based on religion, culture, economics, family traditions, and individual preference and provide as much support and resource as possible. A list of religious leaders representing the community’s cultures and funeral service providers who may provide lower cost burials/cremations is helpful.

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Introduction

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Death of a child and parental wellbeing in old age: Evidence from Taiwan

Death of a child and parental wellbeing in old age: Evidence from Taiwan

Tool use for corpse cleaning in chimpanzees

Death Rituals Reported by White, Black, and Hispanic Parents Following the ICU Death of an Infant or Child

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