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Creating continuity through mutual assistance: intergenerational reciprocity in four ethnic groups
Gay Becker1, Yewoubdar Beyene, Edwina Newsom
1Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0646, USA. becker@itsa.ucsf.ed
Summary
Mutual assistance is vital for family continuity across generations, reflecting cultural values. Breakdown in social exchange can lead to elders losing power and facing challenges in maintaining family connections.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Culture-specific views on mutual assistance are crucial for understanding social exchange.
- Intergenerational relationships are shaped by family support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cultural conceptions of mutual assistance influence social exchange.
- To examine the role of mutual assistance in fostering intergenerational continuity.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 5 in-depth interviews over 5 years with 270 adults aged 50+ from diverse ethnic backgrounds (African American, Latino, Filipino American, Cambodian American).
- Utilized open-ended and semistructured questions to explore perceptions of mutual assistance within families.
Main Results:
- Mutual assistance is a key component of intergenerational relations across all studied groups, signifying family continuity and cultural values.
- Significant intergroup variations were observed in approaches to mutual assistance, prioritized factors, and expressed relationship satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Social exchange serves as a mechanism for elders to maintain power and perpetuate intergenerational continuity.
- Disruptions in social exchange can result in elders experiencing loss of power and role loss, highlighting the need for adaptable exchange strategies and negotiation power for elders to maintain family continuity amidst challenges.