Chapter 12 Family Life

Marital Status 96% in USA marry, at least once Reason for decreased number of married in later life? –Widowhood Fewer than two per 1000 divorced Men more likely to be married in later life © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.1 Marital Status, Population Age 65 and Over © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marriage: Advantages & Disadvantages Advantages –Financial resources; Greater life satisfaction; Most older couples happy; Better health –Better adjustment to aging; Adult-centered Disadvantages –Interests may diverge; Potential sources of strain © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Common-Law Unions and Cohabitation Rate for older people has increased More men than women Increase in LAT relationships Why cohabitation? –Common-law relationship after divorce; Desire for intimate relationship without marriage –Poverty © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Divorce Divorced and separated age 65 and older 2006 Significantly increased since 1980 Remarriage rare May result in late life economic insecurity May result in loss of social contact with family © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lifelong Singlehood Never married older adults Stereotype belief that never-marrieds are unhappy Many have chosen to be unmarried Report good health Report freedom and control over lives © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lifelong Singlehood Have made unique adaptations to aging –Develop relationships for support, companionship, confidants Report more loneliness than married people Have less of a family network for caregiving © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Widowhood USA 2008 –8.8 million widows –2.2 million widowers Women more likely to be widowed –Age 75 and older, most often living alone Men more likely to remarry © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bereavement Common problems after death of a spouse –Lack of emotional support after official mourning period “Identity foreclosure” Depression during first year Mental health before bereavement can affect response to loss © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Widows and Widowers: Coping with Loss Widows –More social supports than men –Support others through caregiving and other support; Financial difficulties Widowers –Less likely than women to have a confidant –More isolation; Higher risk of suicide © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Widows and Widowers: Coping with Loss Risk of institutionalization when sick Recent research on widowers –Many bounce back; Re-establish meaningful lives; Self-reports Should study men differently –Not based on female model of interpersonal relationships © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dating and Remarriage Men tend to remarry after widowhood and women tend to stay single Older people date for several reasons 1/3rd of older daters had sexual intercourse at least once a month The trend toward the use of online connections by older people just begun © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexuality Sexuality in Long-Term Care Settings Physical Changes and Sexual Adaptations Attitudes toward later-life sexuality changing Interest in sex reported into very old age Why do people give up sex? © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexuality Benefits of Sex –Reduces stress; Relaxes; Enhances intimacy –Helps form foundation of strong and supportive personal relationships –High life satisfaction –Health benefits –Self-esteem © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexuality Barriers to Later Life Sexual Activity –Health Many sexual problems can be reversed –Lack of a partner Especially for older women –Attitudes Of older people; Of other people © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.2 The Partner Gap: Having a Regular Sexual Partner © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.3 Differences in Sexual Attitudes, Thoughts, & Behaviors © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Physical Changes and Sexual Adaptations Adaptations that address health and life course causes of change –Lifestyle Diet, weight control, limit use of alcohol, active sex life; Masturbation –Sexual dysfunction Viagra and Levitra; Rest and exercise © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Gay and Lesbian Older People Most research misses these older people –Don’t ask about sexual orientation –Assume if never married, never in on-going relationship Extrapolating data –Approximately 1 to 2.8 million LGBT seniors The Myths: Lonely; Rejected; Maladjusted © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.4 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Relationships © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Grandparenting The Grandparent–Grandchild Relationship Grandparenting and New Family Structures Grandparent Visitation Rights Grandparents as Surrogate Parents © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.5 Estimated and Projected Grandparent Population (U.S.) © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 12.6 Purpose of Financial Assistance/Monetary Gifts © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Future of the Family Increased studies of aging in alternative relationships give a varied picture of aging People who enter old age today will bring with them more open attitudes toward sex Longer life expectancy will also lead to relationships across more generations © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.