Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Who really provides care and support? The roles of young people in skipped- generation households Daniel Reijer University of Amsterdam / AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Research Part of a PhD research 14 months of fieldwork Rural part of Copperbelt Province, Zambia Ecological approach to well-being 65 Skipped-generation households Qualitative and quantitative

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Skipped-generation households More older children in the younger generation –Survival rate of the young –Nature of orphanhood Destitution and depression among the older generation Inter-generational stress and conflicts

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org The care continuum Early childhood: –Dependence on guardians and siblings Middle childhood: –Reciprocity among children and between generations –Children increasingly assume adult role Adolescence: –Providers of care and generators of income –Caregivers to children and grandparents

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org The missing middle generation Gradual transfer of roles and responsibilities Complete decision-making role is last step Is it control or cooperation? Deviant cases

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Conclusions Older children and young people can take over the role of the missing middle generation Where conflicts occur children contemplate leaving Most will stay: Love and their sense of responsibility As guardians age further problems increase

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Recommendations Livelihood support for broader age categories Aim interventions at young and older generation together Aim to bring together the elderly (OPAs) Better inform and equip Agricultural Extension Officers

Washington D.C., USA, July 2012www.aids2012.org Thank you.