Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia
This paper discusses intergenerational solidarity in care from the perspective of women, focusing on mothers as the main providers. It has been carried out in the context of very low fertility, negative population change, and advanced ageing in Serbia, amid conditions of strong familism....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Social Science, Belgrade
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Stanovništvo |
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| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-982X/2020/0038-982X2002001B.pdf |
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| author | Bobić Mirjana Vesković-Anđelković Milica |
| author_facet | Bobić Mirjana Vesković-Anđelković Milica |
| author_sort | Bobić Mirjana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper discusses intergenerational solidarity in care from the
perspective of women, focusing on mothers as the main providers. It has been
carried out in the context of very low fertility, negative population
change, and advanced ageing in Serbia, amid conditions of strong familism.
Two types of care were analysed: care of children and of elderly parents.
Qualitative research was carried out in two towns and their outskirts:
Belgrade and Kraljevo. The main method was a case study based on interviews
and observation. The first aim was to shed light on the informal support
mothers/parents receive around children: who helps them, what help they
receive, and why they receive help. The results supported the authors’
initial expectations that mothers/parents rely heavily on grandparents,
primarily grandmothers. The help grand-parents provide is reported to be
daily, extensive, and exhaustive. Mothers, how-ever, deem that it
contributes to happy and healthy ageing. Although caring for elderly people
is still not widespread among respondents, they nevertheless presented their
views on the issue. Again, in line with initial assumptions, care of
elderly people was shown to be an indispensable part of family life. The
empirical results reflect that the main explanation stems from strong
solidarity based on kinship, which thus moulds both attitudes and behaviour.
Elderly parents will be taken care of by their children, and this is
considered natural, self-understandable, and an expression of vast
gratitude. Putting elderly people into institutional care (nursing homes) is
a rare choice that is only made when they cannot live on their own and take
care of themselves, or if there are many elderly kin who need support. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e095f7e9870493c8f251f287331a16e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0038-982X 2217-3986 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Social Science, Belgrade |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Stanovništvo |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e095f7e9870493c8f251f287331a16e2025-08-20T01:54:42ZengInstitute of Social Science, BelgradeStanovništvo0038-982X2217-39862020-01-0158212210.2298/STNV2002001B0038-982X2002001BIntergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in SerbiaBobić Mirjana0Vesković-Anđelković Milica1Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaThis paper discusses intergenerational solidarity in care from the perspective of women, focusing on mothers as the main providers. It has been carried out in the context of very low fertility, negative population change, and advanced ageing in Serbia, amid conditions of strong familism. Two types of care were analysed: care of children and of elderly parents. Qualitative research was carried out in two towns and their outskirts: Belgrade and Kraljevo. The main method was a case study based on interviews and observation. The first aim was to shed light on the informal support mothers/parents receive around children: who helps them, what help they receive, and why they receive help. The results supported the authors’ initial expectations that mothers/parents rely heavily on grandparents, primarily grandmothers. The help grand-parents provide is reported to be daily, extensive, and exhaustive. Mothers, how-ever, deem that it contributes to happy and healthy ageing. Although caring for elderly people is still not widespread among respondents, they nevertheless presented their views on the issue. Again, in line with initial assumptions, care of elderly people was shown to be an indispensable part of family life. The empirical results reflect that the main explanation stems from strong solidarity based on kinship, which thus moulds both attitudes and behaviour. Elderly parents will be taken care of by their children, and this is considered natural, self-understandable, and an expression of vast gratitude. Putting elderly people into institutional care (nursing homes) is a rare choice that is only made when they cannot live on their own and take care of themselves, or if there are many elderly kin who need support.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-982X/2020/0038-982X2002001B.pdfintergenerational solidaritycarewomenchildrenelderly parents |
| spellingShingle | Bobić Mirjana Vesković-Anđelković Milica Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia Stanovništvo intergenerational solidarity care women children elderly parents |
| title | Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia |
| title_full | Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia |
| title_fullStr | Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia |
| title_short | Intergenerational solidarity in care: A case study in Serbia |
| title_sort | intergenerational solidarity in care a case study in serbia |
| topic | intergenerational solidarity care women children elderly parents |
| url | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-982X/2020/0038-982X2002001B.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bobicmirjana intergenerationalsolidarityincareacasestudyinserbia AT veskovicanđelkovicmilica intergenerationalsolidarityincareacasestudyinserbia |