Demographic Changes and Parent–Child Relationships

Abstract

SYNOPSISThis tutorial describes demographic changes and their implications for parent ing and parent -child relationships. First, we discuss 2 major sociodemo graphic changes -declining fertility and increasing longevity -from the point of view of social demography. Second, we elaborate on implications of de mographic changes for parenting and intergenerational relationships from so ciolOgical and psychological perspectives. This discussion of parenting and parent -child relationships addresses changes from a life-span perspective, tak ing into account contextual factors. Finally, we present examples of empirical investigations of relations among sociodemographic changes, parenting, and parent -child relationships. INTRODUCTIONMost developmental analyses of parent -child relationships focus on in teractions and conditions within the immediate family. The predominant view in the field, however, is that social changes, such as changes in family size and in individuals' life-spans, uniquely impact family life. These so cial changes offer a means by which to describe those historical shifts that result in cultural differences. However, the nature of these changes, includ ing the ways in which they have been approached by social demographers and how these changes may affect parenting and parent -child relation ships, has not yet been adequately delineated. At issue are the ways in which parent -child relationships may be affected, the kinds of research that should be undertaken, and which theoretical models might be used to guide research. This tutorial is a step toward filling these gaps. It begins with a description of what demographers refer to as "the demographic transition" and then proceeds to consider implications of the demographic transition for the nature of parenting and parent -child relationships in various cultural contexts. THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITIONThe demograph ic transition is a process that is observed worldwide and has been described by historical and internation al comparativ e demogra phy. This description is based on a model according to which the first phase of the demograph ic transition is characterize d by a multistep pro cess of modernizat ion and adaptation. The starting point is a relatively sta ble state of high mortality with simultaneo us high fertility. Especially be cause of high infant mortality and a relatively stable mortality risk across all other stages of the life-span, high fertility does not result in a significant change in population size, but rather in fast turnover. The second phase of the transition is characteriz ed by an initial increase in mean life expectancy without a simultaneo us decrease infertility, which results in population increase. In the third phase, fertility rates decrease to a similar extent such that in the fourth phase a new equilibrium is reached based on low mortal ity and low fertility with a resulting slow population turnover (see Figure 1). As far as the first three stages are concerned , the model of the demo graphic transition provides a rath...

Chronological age, cognitions, and practices in European American mothers: A multivariate study of parenting.

“…The existence of greater numbers of increasingly older parents also surely differs from our recent evolutionary past. These days, a woman may not only conceive a child at a much older age than her mother did, but at age 40 she may rear her child at least as long as a 20-year-old mother did 100 years ago (Trommsdorf & Nauck, 2006).Maternal chronological age appears to be a pervasive factor in parenting. Overall, we found that maternal age per se was related to approximately one-half of the diverse maternal cognitions we assessed and to approximately one-half of the diverse maternal practices we evaluated, including all categories of parenting cognitions (perceptions, reports, attributions, and knowledge) as well as maternal language and emotional interactions.…”

Values’ family flow: associations between grandparents, parents and adolescent children

“…The increase in average life expectancy may lead to a longer coexistence of three family generations, increasing opportunities for close relationships and influencing the transmission of processes and values (Silverstein, Giarrusso, & Bengtson, 2003;Trommsdorff & Nauck, 2006;Uhlenberg, 2005). Some studies have revealed the significant role of grandparents on their grandchildren's lives (Bengtson, 2001) as confidants (Silverstein & Marenco, 2001) and as experienced storytellers who integrate history and family traditions with the cultural context (Pratt & Fiese, 2004).…”

“…Despite the scarcity of studies that include G1, it is assumed that the nuclear family of G2 is a socializing agent that is more influential than the extended family (Trommsdorff & Nauck, 2006). Furthermore, a socialization environment shared within the nuclear family tends to be more similar than one shared within the extended family.…”

“…Accordingly, due to G1's increasing age and loss of autonomy, G2 may perceive G1 as more oriented to the past (Friedlmeier & Friedlmeier, 2012) and to the preservation of social values, thus reinforcing security and stability (Sabatier & Lannegrand-Willems, 2005). G2, commonly considered the sandwich generation (Trommsdorff & Nauck, 2006;Zal, 1992), may be more focused on nurturing the individuation-socialization development of their children and caring for their own parents, hence becoming more oriented to collectivist values that are more congruent with their family concerns and needs. As the generation that rates collectivist values most highly, it is possible that the overload of caring requests explains the relational guidance of G2.…”

Psychological Consequences of Longevity

“…In addition to increased longevity, the main macrosocial factors that have influenced spouse and family relationships in recent decades include declines in marriage and fertility rates and an increase in divorce rates [e.g., Goldstein & Kenney, 2001;Trommsdorff & Nauck, 2006]. The birth rate has been steadily decreasing in all industrialized countries.…”