Inter-generational contact from a network perspective. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marcum, Christopher Steven; Koehly, Laura M.
• Is Part Of: Advances in life course research. Volume 24(2015)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Networks -- Generations -- Family communication; Aging -- Periodicals; Life cycle, Human -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2015.04.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1569-4909

Abstract

Abstract: Pathways for resource – or other – exchanges within families have long been known to be dependent on the structure of relations between generations (Agree et al., 2005; Fuller-Thomson et al., 1997; Silverstein, 2011; Treas & Marcum, 2011 ). Much life course research has theorized models of inter-generational exchange – including, the 'sandwich generation' (Miller, 1981 ) and the 'skipped generation' pathways (Chalfie, 1994 ) – but there is little work relating these theories to relevant network mechanisms such as liaison brokerage (Gould & Fernandez, 1989 ) and other triadic configurations (Davis & Leinhardt, 1972; Wasserman & Faust, 1994 ). To address this, a survey of models of resource allocation between members of inter-generational households from a network perspective is introduced in this paper. Exemplary data come from health discussion networks among Mexican-origin multi-generational households.