Cultural Diversity and Aging Families HDFS 301 November 26, 2012

Defining Old Age What is “old”? Old and aged are social definitions that vary from society to society Elders are respected in certain cultures Japan & Native American “Young old” (65-85) “Old old” (over 85)

Stereotypes & Discrimination Ageism = Stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups because of age Gerophobic culture – fearful, pessimistic view of aging as decay Culture is when people equate aging to disease and pathology

Aging and Family Relationships Family relationships are constantly changing Longer life spans Lives of family members are interdependent Increasing age of one member affects all other members Family issues affected by longevity: Grandparenthood Caring for elderly parents

Theoretical Approaches Stress Theory – caregiving stress Ex. Taking care of grandchildren; taking care of partner Life Course Perspective - age norms & timing of life transitions Marriage, widowhood, grandparent hood On-time vs. off-time Selectivity Theory – selective in social partners Importance placed on relationships with close family & friends Adaptive way to cope with shrinking social network

Partnerships in Later Life ½ of 65+ are married Men more likely to be married Women more likely to be widowed Women more likely to live alone Poverty Divorce has increased and places women at higher risk of living in poverty

Partnerships in Later Life Long-lasting relationships higher marital satisfaction More time & resources for individual & shared pursuits Companionship & caregiving Sexual contact less frequent, but intimacy may deepen

Partnerships in Later Life Retirement –significant milestone and adjustment for individuals and couples Men – loss of meaningful job roles, status, productivity Central to male standards of identity & self-esteem Successful transition- reorientation of values & goal; redirection of energies and relationships Women – retirement can be a financial disaster 40% have no pension 34% have no health insurance Many women continue working past retirement age Traditional marriages – couples have difficulty with retirement Renegotiate relationship to achieve new balance

Siblings Long lasting family relationships Increase in intensity & contact during the later years Main functions: Emotional & instrumental support

Grandparenting Style Grandparenthood is a near universal experience Remote – largely symbolic, little direct contact   Companionate – leisure activities & friendship Involved – active parental role 2 Additional styles among Native Americans Ceremonial grandparents- live far away, but have frequent contact Cultural conservator- co-residence for the purpose of teaching the Indian way of life

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Caregiving stress Contextsituation that lead to grandparents raising grandchildren; problems of the parent are a major source of stress family support- Is there support from other family members? ethnicity- prevalence of custodial care among Whites is low, may result in more stress: Latino families are more interdependent on one another, may result in less stress African American grandparents Teacher, role model

Family Caregiving Informal vs. formal support Informal =family, neighbors, friends Intragenerational vs. Intergenertaional Formal =in-home services & institutional-based care Ethnic minority families more likely to use informal support Close & extended family members provide care Co-residence more common in ethnic minority families Filial Piety; Familism Sandwich Generation- adults in midlife caring for children as well as aging parents simultaneously

Family Caregiving Filial Piety – obligation to provide support to elderly parents Factors related to filial duty: Geographical proximity Financial standing Parental need for assistance Parental need for emotional support