Types of conflicts and tensions between older parents and adult children.
What are the most common themes of conflict between aging parents and their adult children? Six types emerged in a qualitative analysis of Longitudinal Study of Generations survey data: conflicts over (1) communication and interaction style; (2) habits and lifestyle choices; (3) child-rearing practices and values; (4) politics, religion, and ideology; (5) work habits and orientations; and (6) household standards or maintenance. There were generational differences: parents most often listed conflicts over habits and lifestyle choices, whereas children cited communication and interaction style. These results suggest a new agenda for gerontological research: intergenerational conflict in the context of solidarity within aging families.
California State University, Los Angeles, USA.
E J
EJ
Clarke
M
M
Preston
J
J
Raksin
V L
VL
Bengtson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011057:Politics; D012067:Religion