Ageing and Family Solidarity in Europe : Patterns and Driving Factors of Intergenerational Support
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, intergenerational relations remain a key aspect of the future development and sustainability of the European social model. In the present paper, patterns of intergenerational support and the main drivin...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2016
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2016/05/26377981/ageing-family-solidarity-europe-patterns-driving-factors-intergenerational-support http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24516 |
| Summary: | At the beginning of the twenty-first
century, intergenerational relations remain a key aspect of
the future development and sustainability of the European
social model. In the present paper, patterns of
intergenerational support and the main driving factors
behind individuals' transfer behavior are explored. In
particular, the data form the Survey of Health, Ageing, and
Retirement in Europe are utilized to shed light on the main
factors behind the likelihood and intensity of social
support, and financial help provided to and received from
other family members by ageing and elderly Europeans. The
analysis also takes into consideration patterns and factors
correlated with grandparenting activities. Finally, special
attention is devoted to the condition of those individuals
who are sandwiched between care obligations toward their
elderly parents and young adult children. It is shown that
the likelihood of the exchange of support between family
generations is highest in Scandinavian countries and lowest
in Southern Europe. The intensity of support follows an
opposite North-South gradient. In addition, relevant
gender-related inequalities are documented. In general,
time-demanding support obligations are more likely to fall
on the shoulders of women in the early stage of their later
life, while mainly benefitting elderly men. |
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