Chap 9 INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

The relationship between the person in middle adulthood and their mature child

• Middle adult give more support than they receive when children establish their career and family.

• Sometimes difficulties for parents to treat their children as

  adults and for children to accept their parents' continued

  concern for them: importance of the family environment.

There are differences between families and how middle-aged parents and young adults get along

• Families are very close both geographically and emotionally, have frequent contact and support and help each other.

• Sociable families but with less emotional affinity or commitment.

• Compulsory relationship families with a lot of relationship but little emotional attachment.

• Families detached both geographically and emotionally.

the crowded nest

Postponement of an older child's departure from or return to the nest.

the crowded nest might lead to

stress in the family

Middle adulthood and their adult children gets along best

• When adult children are employed and living on their own and when they seek autonomy

Empty nest transition as a longer process of separation lasting several years 

Extension of the normative expectation of parental support for their adult children.

Consequences of the crowded nest

• Inability of adult children to become independent.

• leads to intergenerational tension when it contradicts normative parental expectations

Revolving door syndrome or boomerang phenomenon

Children return to their parents' home

autonomy of an adult child is related to the sign of

parental success

Middle adulthood and relations with elderly parents.

• The stage is associated with the experience of Contact and mutual assistance

Challenges related to middle adulthood in relation with elderly parents

• Difficulties when middle-aged people have limited emotional and financial resources and must share them with elderly parents and meet their own (and perhaps their children's) needs.

Better intergenerational relationship between middle adult and their relation with elderly parents

• Parents enjoy health and vigour.

• Increased pressure relationship between middle adult and their relation with elderly parents

• older people fall ill

• Might lead to becoming a carer for elderly parents

If working away from home, limited financial resources or lack of support or help

This might influence physical, emotional and financial burden.

Care as a female role

daughters are more likely to take on the role of caregiver and sons are less likely to provide primary personal care.

Sandwich generation

middle-aged adults overwhelmed by the competing needs of raising their children or making them independent and caring for their elderly parents.

If the elderly person has dementia

Greater challenge for the cared-for person because of inability to perform basic daily functions and need for constant supervision.

consequences of caregiving pressures

• Caregiver burnout

• It can lead to abuse, neglect or even abandonment of the

  dependent elder.

• Increased difficulties due to the lack of recognised right of

  carers to feel frustrated, discouraged and exploited by families and friends.