New Intimate Relationships in Later Life : Consequences for the Social and Filial Network?

• The aim of this study is to investigate the consequences for linked lives ofentering into new intimate relationships in later life. The empirical data isbased on qualitative interviews with 28 Swedes aged 63 to 91 years, whohave established a new intimate relationship after the age of 60 years or arecurrently dating. Theories on linked lives and individualization are used. Theresults show that children were generally supportive of their older parents’unions and older individuals were often integrated into the new partner’snetwork. However, a new union also restructured the relationship chain sothat time and energy were redirected to the new partner. Older parentspreferred to be dependent on partners rather than children/others. A newpartner was described as a source for autonomy and a way of “unburdening”children. Results are discussed in light of Western individualism generallyand Swedish state supported individualism in particular.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

autonomy

later life

linked lives

new intimate relationships

relationship chain

Sociology

sociologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)