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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

Figure 12.1 Marital Status, Population Age 65 and Over

By Age Group and Sex, Percent, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

Figure 12.2 The Partner Gap: Having a Regular Sexual Partner

By Sex and Age, Percent

Figure 12.3 Differences in Sexual Attitudes, Thoughts, & Behaviors

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

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

Figure 12.4 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Relationships

Grandparenting

The Grandparent–Grandchild Relationship
Grandparenting and New Family Structures
Grandparent Visitation Rights
Grandparents as Surrogate Parents

Figure 12.5 Estimated and Projected Grandparent Population (U.S.)

1985–2015

Figure 12.6 Purpose of Financial Assistance/Monetary Gifts

From Grandparents to Grandchildren

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