Harmonised Households: Les Ménages A Ménager

‘Mapping Intergenerational Care: Proximity, Propinquity and Resources in the ‘tacit’ intergenerational contract’

Dr Alex Fanghanel, Prof Sara Randall

University College LondonDr Ernestina Coast,

London School of Economics

‘…in Western societies there is a hegemonic geography of care and responsibility which

takes the form of a nested set of Russian dolls. First there is ‘home’, then perhaps place, or

locality, then nation, and so on…’ (Massey, 2004: 8-9)

• How are older people implicated in intergenerational care arrangements?

• How is this affected by proximity, propinquity and access to financial resources?

• What do these exchanges of care mean for the ‘tacit’ intergenerational contract?

• Where propinquity = affective, emotional closeness

• And proximity = geographic closeness

Taken for granted/Unexceptional care

NormativeDifficulties identifying intergenerational contractInter-familial care within a household

Universalistic

How we did it…

32 qualitative interviews4 sites Household interview grid used to record responsesAnalysis of types, directions and qualities of intergenerational exchanges, both in and out of the household3 case studies

Every-day care

Practical care

Financial/Material Support

Child care

Co-Habitation

Affective help Direct/Indirect

Tangible/Intangible

Facility

Distance

Wealth

Church

Alan

75

Sue

73

Jenny Emma

Simon

Richard

Katy

17

David

15

Jason Amy

NeighboursHelp w ithTutoring

NeighboursHelp w ith

Practical Stuff

Friends

Bob

80

Alison

81

Robert

54

Paul

50

Sarah

53

Jessica

55

ElderlyNeighbours

Marc

Emily

Gemma

27

Clare

24

Ria

22

Gail

49

Sandra

52

Zach

29

Flora

23

Peter

25

Maurice

65

Martha

59

Alex

11

Stuart

35

Sally

36

Beatrice

5

Luke

2

Bruce

76

Dora

74

To whom Help Given Name HRP Received From whom

Grand Children

  Everyday care

 Alan and Sue (poorer household)

Practical  

Neighbours

AffectiveFriends of daughter

Affective Church

Grandchildren  Financial  

 Alice and Bob (wealthier household)

Occasional practical help

Grandchildren Neighbours

Neighbours Practical 

Grandchildren Affective

Sister  

 Practical

Martha and Maurice (middle wealth household)

None N/ASister, Son and Family  

 Affective 

Brother Financial

www.householdsurvey.info