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Cultural Diversity and Aging Families

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).

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Cultural Diversity and Aging Families

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  1. Cultural Diversity and Aging Families HDFS 301 November 26, 2012

  2. 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)

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

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