Revisiting convergence and divergence: support for older people in Europe

Glaser, Karen, Tomassini, Cecilia and Grundy, Emily ORCID: 0000-0002-9633-1116 (2004) Revisiting convergence and divergence: support for older people in Europe. European Journal of Ageing, 1 (1). pp. 64-72. ISSN 1613-9372

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Abstract

Recent commentators have distinguished ‘weak’ from ‘strong’ family societies, arguing that older people in less family-oriented societies receive less support from family members than those in countries with strong family ties (e.g. Southern Europe). This study explored the north-south divide in various dimensions associated with support for older people among selected European countries participating in a European Scientific Foundation network, ‘Family Support for Older People: Determinants and Consequences’ (FAMSUP). Employing data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. nationally representative surveys, censuses, and official publications) we used principal components and cluster analysis to investigate patterns across countries in four dimensions designed to be indicative of the balance between family and formally provided resources for older people and the socio-economic, demographic and policy contexts in which these are provided. Rather than a clear-cut north-south division European countries reflect a more complex classification in terms of support for older individuals when a wide range of measures associated with different dimensions of support for older people are used. Future research requires comparable cross-national data on key indicators of family support.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://link.springer.com/journal/10433
Additional Information:	© 2004 Springer
Divisions:	Social Policy Lifecourse, Ageing & Population Health
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2013 08:27
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 13:05
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/53637

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