“Isn’t he wonderful?” Exploring the contribution and conceptualization of older husbands as carers

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between the dimensions of a debate cited at the intersection of ageing, gender, and family care. It draws together evidence from the General Household Survey for Britain 2000 and social research to explore the contribution and conceptualization of caring by older husbands. UK research on caring reveals that among older spouses, equal numbers of husbands and wives provide intensive care. It has been argued that within late-life marriage an over-riding desire to retain independence erodes gender-determined task allocation, suggesting not only similarity but equality between wives and husbands as carers. More recent qualitative research challenges this assumption and suggests two key findings: that older husbands are motivated to care by a combination of marital duty and reciprocal love, and that they manage the tasks of caring within an instrumental framework. Further, it is clear that pre-existing gender relations continue to be powerful determinants of the experience of caring, and that marital power is retained by men in late-life marriage. Overall, the caring contribution of older husbands is imbued with positive meaning, is highly valued, and offers a distinctive role and identity; this contrasts sharply with the caring experiences of older wives.

Caregiving in the Pacific Rim A Comparison of Asian and Non-Asian Caregiving Experiences

“…However, this study highlights an emerging trend: the increase in the number of male caregivers (Milne & Hatzidimitriadou, 2003;Stoller, 2002;Arnsberger, 2003). Furthermore, research in the United States suggests that men-especially retired men-may spend as many hours caregiving as women, even though the culture does not generally support a "hands on" male caregiving role (Harris & Long, 1999;Arnsberger, 2003;Thompson, 2002;AARP, 2001;Milne & Hatzidimitriadou, 2003). There is even some evidence to suggest that men may also feel less burdened by the caregiving experience (Stoller, 2002;Thompson, 2002).…”

Partner care, gender equality, and ageing in Spain and Sweden

“…Caregiving may affect how (older) men negotiate their social roles and their masculinity (Calasanti 2010;Ribeiro et al 2007;Thomeer et al 2015;Wallroth 2016). Some critics find it unfair that male caregivers get more attention and question whether their caregiving is really similar to that of women (Milne & Hatzidimitriadou 2003). Our sources all rely on self-reporting, and it is known that partner caregivers, men and women, generally are reluctant to report themselves as caregivers; they are just ''helping'' their partner (e.g.…”

Carers and Empowerment in the UK: A Critical Reflection

“…For instance, the experience of being a carer varies according to the number of hours spent caring, length of caregiving, type of care required, relationship, nature of the cared for person's needs and access to and acceptability of formal services. Older spouses tend to resist the 'intrusion' of 'outsiders' (including services) because they rarely identify themselves as 'carers'; this not only positions them in an oppositional status to their wife/husband but challenges the 'care contract' that underpins long-term marriage (Milne and Hatzidimitriadou, 2003;Arksey and Glendinning, 2007;Milne et al, 2012). Women, for example, who are the majority of carers, report higher levels of subjective burden, feel more obliged to give up paid work to care and are more reluctant to ask for an 'assessment of need' or support from services than their male counterparts (Milne and Williams, 2003).…”

“…Additionally, carers are spending more time on administrative responsibilities 'as opposed to "hands-on care"' (Rosenthal et al, 2007). This is particularly prejudicial to those on low incomes and those who are reluctant to define themselves as a 'carer' (Milne and Hatzidimitriadou, 2003;Humphries, 2011). Research shows that insufficient information is available about the challenges of managing direct payments (Glasby and Littlechild, 2010).…”