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Older Parents and their Middle-Aged Children: Symmetry or Asymmetry in their Relationship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Kees Knipscheer  and
Anton Bevers
Kees Knipscheer
Affiliation:
University of Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Anton Bevers
Affiliation:
University of Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

This study focussed on aspects of the relationship between older parents and their middle aged children. Interviews with 74 parents and with one of their children informed us about topics and perceptions relevant in this intergenerational relationship. Data were analysed in terms of agreements and disagreements between parent and child, and of perceived agreements and disagreements. Four items were selected for closer analysis as they exhibited both a high amount of disagreement and a low amount of perceived disagreement. These findings are discussed in terms of the developmental stake theory, a metaorientation and assymmetry in the parent-child relationship.

Résumé

Cette étude porte sur quelques aspects de la relation entre des parents âgés et leurs enfants de 40 à 50 ans.

Nous avons fait des interviews avec 74 parents et également avec l'un de leurs enfants. Elles nous ont révélé quelques thèmes et perceptions pertinents dans les relations entre les deux générations. Les données ont été analysées en termes d'accords et de désaccords—aussi bien objectifs que subjectifs—entre l'enfant et le parent interviewé. Quatre thèmes ont été soumis à une analyse plus détaillée parce que le degré élevé de désaccord objectif s'accompagne d'un faille degré de désaccord subjectif.

La discussion de ces données est menée dans le cadre de la “developmental stake theory” et par rapport aux notions de métaorientation et d'asymétrie dans les relations entre parents et enfants.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , September 1985 , pp. 145 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1985

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