Extended Kinship Relations in Black and White Families

An exploratory study of noninstitutionalized black urban elderly living in age-homogenous apartments in Detroit, Michigan and their informal social support systems

“…Cultural factors evolved from the ethnic backgrounds of the differ ences in the extended kin relationships between black, white, Indian, Asian-American and various other ethnic groups (Hays and Mindel, 1973;Holzberg, 1982;Stack, 1974). Arling and Blehar (1979) reported that the black experience strengthened the informal social support systems of black people "because of such conditions as racism and poverty, they have developed stronger mutual support systems than the white elderly, who may be less in need of help or who may have inculcated the predominant cultural values of independence to such a degree that their capacity to tolerate dependence on others is decreased" (Arling and Blehar, 1979, p. 199).…”

“…An exploratory study conducted by Hays and Mindel (1973) on the kin interaction of 25 black and white families found that blacks interacted more often with extended kin and received more help from them than that evidenced by white families. Even when variables such as socio economic status, geographical mobility, marital status and family size were controlled, racial differences were found.…”

“…4, 1978), none focused upon the older Black family" (Streib and Beck, 1980, p. 948). Studies have been conducted on the social interaction patterns of black elderly (Hays and Mindel, 1973;Heisel, 1973;Martin and Martin, 1978;McNeely and Col en, 1983;Wolf et al, 1983). Studies have also investigated black elderly and their formal and informal social support systems (Anderson, 1977;Babchuck, 1978;Cantor, 1975;Hirsch, 1980;Jackson, 1971;Lopata, 1975Lopata, , 1978Martin and Martin, 1978;Martineau, 1977;Shanas, 1973;Stephens et al, 1978;Wentowski, 1979).…”

“…If alienation was meant to connote physical distance, then it is misleading because a number of researchers report frequent parent-child contact is the rule, not the exception (Arling and Blehar, 1979;Heisel, 1973;Hirsch, 1980;Litwak, 1981). Hays and Mindel (1973) studied the extended kin relationship of black and white families and reported that higher rates of interaction, patterns of help and perceived importance of kin relationships among blacks compared to whites. Riley and Foner (1968) studied the social interactions of elderly people with their family, friends and neighbors.…”

“…Hays and Mindel (1973) re ported that higher rates of interaction between family members is a fre quent characteristic of the black family and not the white family.…”