Values, change and inter-generational ties between two generations of women in Singapore

Abstract

Personal values are framed by social contexts and carried through a person's lifecourse, but are sufficiently malleable to adapt to changing conditions. The dynamic character of personal values should be more frequently recognised in studies of inter-generational ties. This study examines the relationships between two generations of Singaporean women and their divergent values about gender roles, preference for the gender of children, family formation, care-giving and living arrangements. Younger women embrace more western views, while their older counterparts uphold Confucian values. Previous studies have tended to characterise inter-generational ties as conveying ' conflict ' or ' solidarity', but here the concept of 'ambivalence ' is employed to show that contradictory values coexist, and that inter-generational ties encapsulate the negotiated outcome of complex attitudes, values and aspirations.

Older mothers' expectations of intergenerational relationships : the intergenerational ambivalence perspective

“…However, the older mothers seemed to have selectively reconstructed the tradition (Teo et al, 2003) and regarded girls as important as boys.…”

“…Lastly, gender plays a significant role in shaping intergenerational relationships (Teo et al, 2003). The unequal power relationship between men and women affects the distribution of resources in which women are often more vulnerable, especially in traditional societies (Teo et al, 2003). As compared with men, the social structures contribute to women's experiencing greater relationship ambivalence (Connidis and McMullin, 2002).…”

“…Ambivalent feelings may occur when older parents have unmet filial expectations towards children. Lastly, gender plays a significant role in shaping intergenerational relationships (Teo et al, 2003). The unequal power relationship between men and women affects the distribution of resources in which women are often more vulnerable, especially in traditional societies (Teo et al, 2003).…”

“…However, there is an increasing number of older people who live alone and a rapidly decreasing number of them who live with adult children (Kinshella and Phillips, 2005;Lee and Kwok, 2005). For example, Teo et al (2003) found some older people no longer uphold the traditional family and prefer independent living. Although they value emotional support which comes from living together, they desire independence and live separately from their children.…”

“…Intergenerational relationships in later life may be characterized by more ambivalence in terms of permanence, power and gender (Laursen and Bukowski, 1997;Teo et al, 2003). First, bonds between parent and child involve a high degree of permanence (Laursen and Bukowski, 1997).…”