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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
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Patterns of assistance between adult children and their older parents: Resources, responsibilities, and remarriage

Lawrence H. Ganong

University of Missouri, ganongl{at}missouri.edu

Marilyn Coleman

University of Missouri

Tanja Rothrauff

University of Missouri

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of patterns of resource exchange on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities in older parent—adult child relationships. The effects of adult children's resources and later-life remarriage on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities also were examined. A national sample of 1025 adults responded to a multiple segment factorial survey. Responsibilities to parents were associated with prior patterns of exchanges, older cohorts had lower expectations for adult children to help their parents, and parental remarriage creates limited responsibilities toward new stepparents. Family obligations were the main reason for helping, but histories of intergenerational assistance, the adult child's resources, and other obligations of the adult child also were considerations. Later-life remarriage complicates intergenerational obligations.

Key Words: aging • intergenerational relationships • intergenerational responsibilities • reciprocity • remarriage • stepfamilies • stepparent—child relationships

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 26, No. 2-3, 161-178 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407509106706
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