Continuing to Care

Older Americans and Their Families in the 21st Century

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Continuing to Care by Karen Ann Conner, Taylor and Francis
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Author: Karen Ann Conner ISBN: 9781134825936
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 21, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Karen Ann Conner
ISBN: 9781134825936
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 21, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

'Continuing to Care?' describes the challenges of an aging America and changing family system. Caregiving has always been a primary obligation of the family based on an informal intergenerational contract that specifies 'who owes what to whom.' This system of intergenerational reciprocity has been a central feature of American family life and has formed the foundation for successful social programs such as Social Security and Medicare that support older Americans.
Recent changes in the American family threaten the intergenerational family contract. Changing definitions of family, increasing divorce and remarriage rates, the establishment of blended families, and dramatic changes in the age structure and intergenerational composition of the family affect the ability of this important social unit to continue to provide care to its members.
Change in the American family system raises some difficult personal and social questions. What is the obligation of adult children to elderly frail parents? Are we expected to provide care ourselves or is supervising care provided by others an acceptable alternative? Do the same rules apply in the case of step parents? What is a childs obligation to a long absent father? Can Americans continue to juggle responsibility for their children with the demands of careers and the needs of aging parents? How much longer will we do it? And what will society do if we decide to stop?
These questions need to be addressed as we reexamine our families caregiving role. 'Continuing to Care?' brings these questions into the public forum for consideration and debate.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

'Continuing to Care?' describes the challenges of an aging America and changing family system. Caregiving has always been a primary obligation of the family based on an informal intergenerational contract that specifies 'who owes what to whom.' This system of intergenerational reciprocity has been a central feature of American family life and has formed the foundation for successful social programs such as Social Security and Medicare that support older Americans.
Recent changes in the American family threaten the intergenerational family contract. Changing definitions of family, increasing divorce and remarriage rates, the establishment of blended families, and dramatic changes in the age structure and intergenerational composition of the family affect the ability of this important social unit to continue to provide care to its members.
Change in the American family system raises some difficult personal and social questions. What is the obligation of adult children to elderly frail parents? Are we expected to provide care ourselves or is supervising care provided by others an acceptable alternative? Do the same rules apply in the case of step parents? What is a childs obligation to a long absent father? Can Americans continue to juggle responsibility for their children with the demands of careers and the needs of aging parents? How much longer will we do it? And what will society do if we decide to stop?
These questions need to be addressed as we reexamine our families caregiving role. 'Continuing to Care?' brings these questions into the public forum for consideration and debate.

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