International Rural Aging Project

Invited Symposia

Intergenerational Relationships

Convener: G. Clare Wenger, Bangor, United Kingdom
Professor of Social Gerontology & Director of the Centre for Social Policy Research & Development, Institute of Medical & Social Care Research, University of Wales

Date Thursday, June 8
Time 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location Parlor C, Civic Center

Abstract:
Intergenerational relationships are particularly important for older people as not only a source of companionship and family integration but also as the most likely source of support and help in the face of lasses associated with the aging process. In rural areas, the small size of communities and the frequent face-to-face contact of residents have often been interpreted to mean that older people receive more readily available family care. However, the wide range of different types of rural communities is often overlooked. For some older people, the idyllic vision of the close knit, stable community may be a reality, for others rural life may be harsh and affected by extremes of climate. In many rural areas, younger generation members leave for urbanized areas and better employment opportunities. In others, older people move into rural areas to retire, but have no kin ties there. In some rural communities, older people continue to have important family roles; in others they may become a burden to stressed younger generations. This symposium presents a cross-section of experience of intergenerational relationships from a range of different parts of the world. The papers will be presented geographically, moving eastwards from the United States.
The discussant (to be nominated) will look at the contrasts and the similarities and identify common aspects of intergenerational relationships, which overarch different cultural situations.

Introduction
G. Clare Wenger, Bangor, United Kingdom

Intergenerational Family Relationships of Older Women in Central Minnesota
Dena Shenk, Charlotte, North Carolina, US

Differences over Time in Older People’s Relationships with Children and Siblings in Rural North Wales
Vanessa Burholt, Bangor, United Kingdom

Intergenerational Relationships in Rural Germany
Thomas Scharf, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Aging in Rural India: Drifting Intergenerational Relations, Challenges and Options
Anita Kumari, Germany
Raj Dhruvarajan, Canada

Intergenerational Care Relationships in Rural Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Iris N. Keasberry, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Relative Distance: Aging in Rural New Zealand
Sally Keeling, Christchurch, New Zealand

Continuing Education Credits
WV Social Work: 1.5 hrs
WV Psych: 1.5 hrs