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Intergenerational solidarity
Section 5. Political science
Bocakova Olga, PhD., Associate Professor, The University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Faculty of Social Sciences, Slovak Republic E-mail: olga.bocakova@ucm.sk
Intergenerational solidarity
Abstract: This paper addresses solidarity between generations. We refer to the ageing of population, which is a matter of intergenerational solidarity. Because the population is getting old, intergenerational solidarity and family are of great significance.
Keywords: population, generation, seniors, family, intergenerational solidarity.
Introduction
Young people consider democratic rules and traditions as important in order to build a fair and better society without historical grievance as well as without visible inequalities between people [3]. Solidarity of contacts in the family represents a basic dimension of family solidarity. In essence it the assistance at the time of non-self-sufficiency, spending of free time together, removing of solitude etc. In connection with the demographic development of the population the importance of family care for elderly members, who may need this car is on the rise [6]. Today some of the social functions of the state takes over the third sector, we can also talk about corporate social responsibility [1]. Sykorova is writing about three basic theories in the area of family solidarity [5]:
• reciprocity theories: these function on the principle "I will give — I will get", which means that when it is necessary I will help, I will look after. In case that I myself need help, it will be provided to me by other family members.
• theory of obligations: are based on moral standards, caring for the nearest and dearest. A feeling of responsibility "to pay one's debt" is entering here, which we have towards the parents from the childhood. I. e. the point is that in the childhood and in the period of our youth our parents looked after us and now it is our obligation to look after them.
• theories of relations: strong emotive bonds between the members of the family are getting to the forefront. It is the feeling of love, care, devotion to our parents.
Kublckova writes that the family is and remains the greatest support for the elderly [2]. Emotional support is the most frequent manner of help between the family members. After having studied the publication Sociologie starl a senioru (Sociology of Old Age and Seniors) by Sak and Kolesarova dated from 2012 several issues of perception of seniors by young population aroused our interest [4]. We were interested how seniors in our society are perceived by Slovak young people.
So we have addressed the students of secondary schools and universities in Slovakia in the number of 300, i. e. the age group from 16 to 30 years and we have handed over the questionnaires at selected secondary schools and universities. We have selected the following questions from this publication to be able to compare the results of our findings with how seniors are perceived by the Czech young population. It is of course only a research sample, which cannot be generalised for the whole population.
1. Who do you consider to be a senior according to age?
Table 1. - Senior according to age (Source: prepared by the author)
Answers Number %
50 years 24 8 %
55 years 55 18 %
60 years 110 36 %
65 years 71 24 %
70 years 20 7 %
75 years 12 4 %
over 80 years 8 3 %
Graph. 1. Senior according to age
In the Slovak population in the same way as in case of the Czech population there is not an unanimous opinion on, who the senior is, which age group it actually is. Our respondents designated mostly the group of 60 years to be seniors.
Section 5. Political science
2. What do you imagine under the concept "senior " ?
Table 2. - Concept senior (Source: prepared by the author)
Answers Number %
old person 92 31 %
granny, grandpa, grandfather, grandmother, grandparents 74 25 %
pensioner 48 16 %
an elderly person with health problems 25 8 %
an elderly person, who does not work, because of his/her age 20 7 %
appearance 32 10 %
other 9 3 %
Graph. 2. Concept senior
Under the concept senior they imagine an elderly person; 92 of the respondents answered in this way, which is 31 %. Then follows the connection of this concept with the concept of granny, grandpa, grandfather, grandmother, grandparents — this wording was provided by 74 respondents, which is 25 %.
3. Who do your grandparents live with?
Table 3. - How do your grandparents live? (Source: prepared by the author)
Answers Number %
alone in an apartment 35 12 %
alone in a house 21 7 %
with a partner in an apartment 124 41 %
with a partner in a house 102 34 %
with their children 12 4 %
in the social services facility 6 2 %
with a partner in an apartment
Graph. 3. How do your grandparents live?
On the basis of the statements from our respondents we can state that the majority, i. e. 124 grandparents live with a partner, a spouse in the apartment.
4. Are your grandparents interested in employment in spite of the fact that they are pensioners?
Table 4. - Interest of grandparents in employment (Source: prepared by the author)
Answers Number %
yes 71 24 %
no 105 35 %
cannot work, because of his/her bad health condition 85 28 %
cannot find employment because of age 39 13 %
Graph. 4. Interest of grandparents in employment
In most cases the respondents stated that their grandparents enjoy their retirement age, they have been working for quite a long time, they are tired, ill and are not interested in any other work. It is thus true that they criticised their low pensions, but they prefer being more modest and being at home. Many are troubled by the diseases
5. How do you assess the financial situation of your grandparents?
Table 5. - Financial situation of the grandparents (Source: prepared by the author)
Answers Number %
I do not know 62 21 %
bad 70 23 %
good 44 15 %
average 120 40 %
other 4 1 %
Graph. 5. Financial situation of the grandparents The majority of respondents, which is 120, i. e. 40 % assessed the financial situation of their grandparents as average.
Conclusion. Modern European society of the 21st century has to implement social and political measures, which would move the area of intergenerational relations and the area of intergenerational solidarity to a higher level.
Relations between generations
References:
1. Horvath P. Socialny stat. In Aktivne a zdravé starnutie - dôstojny zivot seniorov v 21. storoci, Nemsova. - 2013. - P. 17-30. ISBN 978-80-8105-455-6.
2. Kubickova D. Seniori a komunita spolocnosti a ich moznosti v demokratickom a pravnom state. In Aktualne otazky poli-tiky III. - Trencin: TnUAD, 2014. - S. 151-157. ISBN 978-80-8075-630-7.
3. MihalikJ. Political legacy and youth civic engagement in Slovakia. - Novo Mesto: Faculty of Organization Studies, 2015. -160 s. ISBN 978-961-93688-8-6.
4. Sak P., Kolesarova K. Sociologie stari a seniorù. - Praha: Grada, 2012. - 225 p. ISBN 978-80-247-3850-5.
5. Sykorova D. Od solidarity jako zakladu integracnich vztahù v rodine k ambivalenci a vyjednavani//In Sociologicky casopis. -2006. - Vol. 42, No. 4. - P. 683-699.
6. Trusinova R. Modely péce o nesobëstacné rodinné cleny//In. Medzigeneracni solidarita v pëci o seniory. - Praha: Slon, 2013. - P. 126-139. ISBN 978-80-7419-117-6.
Kubickova Darina, PhD., doctor of philosophy, The University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Faculty of Social Sciences, Slovak Republic E-mail: darina.kubickova@ucm.sk
Relations between generations
Abstract: In this paper we address the importance of the family nowadays. We refer to the intergenerational relations. We describe the intergerational coexistence.
Keywords: Family, Generation, Coexistence, Senior citizens, Young people.
Introduction
The world is getting changed and the change of the world brings about also the change in human relations.
The relations between the people generally deteriorate in the present day world. Conflicts or misunderstandings between the generations often take place. Democratic rules and traditions are very important between people. Support for democracy is driven predominantly by notions of freedom and tolerance [8]. State is not the last way possible treatment of the human community, but the only one on the developmental path for still more sophisticated form of organization of human existence [5].
The possibility of being with the family in the final phase of human life is irreplaceable and for the seniors it makes it possible to spend their everyday life more happily. The network of intergenerational relations provides benefits to all three generations:
• to the children;
• to the parents;
• to the grandparents.
To the children — to the younger generation at least positive emotional spending the period of childhood and youth.
To the parents — this group is probably the most profiting, because assistive activity of their parents is providing space to them for harmonising parental, domestic as well as working obligations.
To the grandparents — it provides the possibility of being with the family, of more efficient use of free time, the feeling of being necessary, useful.
The coexistence between generations can be described in the following models:
• Equal coexistence: it is mutual well-being between the generations inside the family life, the family members accept each other, i. e. also the senior members are accepted;
• Liberal coexistence: there are unclear or no rules in the family, the emotional bonds get weaker, the respect for the older member of the family is getting lost, this applies mainly to the period when they are not self-sufficient;
• Sycophantic coexistence: the parents or grandparents buy the favour of their children, grandchildren, because they do not show natural interest in them;
• Irreconcilable coexistence: it is here negative, egoistic, immoral attitude of younger generation towards the older generation and vice versa;
• Forced coexistence: it is a situation, when younger generation is involuntarily forced to live together with the senior: with a parent or grandparent e. g. at the time of a disease;
• Self-serving coexistence: The point here is unscrupulous-ness of the children, who pretend the interest in their parents and grandparents. They use them, they even sometimes misuse them for their benefit.
The present policy of the state is such that a senior should stay as long as possible in their home, in their natural environment. However sometimes the family wants, sometimes it does not want and sometimes it cannot look after their senior. The degree of intergenerational cohesion is measured by the preparedness of the children, also of the grandchildren to give a helping hand without claims to any remuneration to the parent,
