The Consequences of the Development of a Beanpole Kin Structure on Exchanges Between Generations

Abstract

Esta es la versión de autor del artículo publicado en: This is an author produced version of a paper published in: This article analyzes the effects of the number of siblings, their sex composition, and other individualization indicators intertwined with the development of a beanpole-type kin structure on exchanges among generations in Spain. The effects of this development vary depending on the point of view adopted: that of the parents or that of the adult children. Although this development increases the likelihood of not having daughters who continue to act as kin keepers, there are no clear signs of a weakening of intergenerational ties deriving from the development of a beanpole-type kin structure. The biggest threat for the density of intergenerational relationships derives not so much from this development but from the geographical dispersion of generations caused by the lack of professional and employment opportunities for the younger generations.

Between Elderly Parents and Grandchildren—Geographic Proximity and Trends in Four-Generation Families

“…While for instance Meil (2006) in a case study from Spain, found the geographic distances to be major constraint to intergenerational contacts, this study shows that the majority who have ageing parents or grandchildren have them within daily reach, which makes assistance possible. Similar to Malmberg and Pettersson (2007) we find no dramatic change in the intergenerational proximity over the time period studied, but we can see that there is a quite large and persistent difference between people with high and low education, with the more educated living more distant from their kin.…”

“…This study aims to scrutinize the effect of these two demographic processes on the incidence of four generation families. Moreover, the possibilities for daily contact and assistance between generations are also influenced by the geographic proximity between generations, and Meil (2006) argues that the real threat to strong intergenerational ties is not falling fertility rates or other changes in the family structure but rather increasing geographic distances. This paper explores preconditions for multigenerational relationships by looking at two aspects: the number of generations within families and the geographic proximity between family members.…”

Emotional Closeness between Grandparents and Grandchildren in Rural China: The Mediating Role of the Middle Generation

“…With regard to grandchild characteristics, younger and better-educated grandchildren tend to be closer to their grandparents than their counterparts (Creasey & Kaliher, 1994;Monserud, 2008a,b). Finally, evidence is mixed as to whether geographic proximity enhances intimacy in grandparentgrandchild relationships, with several studies finding it unimportant and others finding it to be consequential (King & Elder, 1995;Roberto, Allen, & Blieszner, 2001;Taylor, Robila, & Lee, 2005;Meil, 2006).…”

Social support networks in Spain: The factors that determine models of choice

“…This pattern stresses the role of the woman as the main caretaker (Kalmijn, 2007;Tobío, 2005;Van Gaalen and Dykstra, 2006). Women are also portrayed as the subjects who receive support more often than men (Brandt et al, 2009;Meil, 2007;Roberto and Scott, 1986). …”

“…Here, the person with the greatest capacity to lend support plays an important role -generally relatives in the older generation. Economic aid flows essentially from parents to children (Attias-Donfut, 2000;Freeman and Ruan, 1997;Kohli and Künemund, 2003;Meil, 2007;Silverstein and Marenco, 2001), from ascending to descending generations.…”