Family, Intergenerational Solidarity, and Post-Traditional Society

Almost all families will at some time have to make difficult decisions concerning aging family members, involving institutionalization, moving from medical interventions to palliative care, and even physician-assisted death. Yet, the historical transition from traditional to post-traditional society means that these decisions are no longer determined by strict rules and norms, and the growing role of the welfare state has been accompanied by changes in the nature of family and social solidarity. Advances in medical technology and greatly expanded life spans further complicate the decision-making process. Family, Intergenerational Solidarity, and Post-Traditional Society examines a range of difficult issues that families commonly face during the family life course within these contexts. The book explores both practical and ethical questions regarding filial responsibility and the roles of the state and adult children in providing financial and instrumental support to dependent parents. The book follows the experiences and deliberations of a fictional family through a series of vignettes in which its members must make difficult decisions about the treatment of a seriously ill parent. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students in family studies, gerontology/aging, sociology, social work, health and social care, and nursing will find this essential reading.

Ronald J. Angel is Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. Jacqueline L. Angel is Professor in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.

1. Changing Intergenerational Family Dependence: A Difficult Famoly Decision 2. The Ties that Bind? Changing Family Options: A Long Way from Ozzie and Harriet 3. Socializing the Financial Support of the Elderly: Who Pays for Care at the End of Life? 4. Manufactured Risk and Reproductive Technology: There are Many Ways to Have a Baby 5. Where Will We Put Mimi?: When Family Members Do Not Agree 6. Mandatory Support of Aging Parents: A Moral Obligation 7. Respect for Autonomy: Difficult Decisions Concerning Medical Care: Who Decides When Treatment is Useless? 8. Family Decisons at the End of Life: Une mort très douce 9. Physician Assisted Death: I Am the Master of My Fate 10. Civil Society and the Family: If You Can't Be with the One You Love... 11. The Future of Intergenerational Solidarity: Families Caring for an Aging America