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Family practices in later life

Graham Allan author Pat Chambers author Chris Phillipson author Mo Ray author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bristol University Press

Published:2nd Sep '09

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Family practices in later life cover

There is no shortage of political and moral commentary on family life. Frequently the underlying theme of these commentaries is the decline of contemporary family commitment, particularly when older people's family experiences are the focus.

"Family Practices in Later Life" challenges many common stereotypes about the nature of family involvement as people age. The book explores diversity and change in the family relationships older people maintain, looking at how family relationships are constructed and organised in later life. It recognises that the emerging patterns are a consequence of the choices and decisions negotiated within family networks, emphasising older people's agency in the construction of their family practices. In exploring such themes as long-term marriage, sibling ties in later life and grandparenthood, the book highlights the continued significance of family connection and solidarity in later life, while recognizing that family relationships are inevitably modified over time as people's social and material circumstances alter.

"Family Practices in Later Life" will be of interest to students, researchers and academics in the fields of social policy, family studies and social gerontology. It provides a valuable contribution to the developing field of critical social gerontology as well as to an understanding of family process.

"As both an academic social gerontologist and great-grandfather I can thoroughly recommend this ground-breaking book. It opens up a much needed new perspective by confronting outdated stereotypes, revealing a world where family doesn't simply mean parents and young children." Professor John Vincent, Department of Sociology and Philosophy, University of Exeter

ISBN: 9781847420527

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

136 pages