Intergenerational support and reproduction of gender inequalities: a case study from Eastern and Western Germany

Arbeitspapier | Working paper

Social support is often described as an exclusively positively acting factor. Its absence is said to mean negative consequences for individuals. This article shows that the supply and dependence of inter-generational social support can have negative consequences and pertains to persisting unequal gender roles and a gendered division of labor in relationships. Based on qualitative interviews, conducted in eastern and western Germany, with young adults (28-30 years old) and their parents, we hypothesize, that the bigger supply of inter-generational support of grandparents for their children and grandchildren and an alleged dependence on these transfers is especially responsible for impeding the modernization of traditional role models assigning women to the role as a mother and housewife. However, less availability and dependence on this kind of social support in eastern Germany, contribute to a more flexible form of role allocation in a relationship.

Object Details

• Alternative title: Intergenerationale Unterstützung und die Reproduktion von Geschlecherungleichheiten: eine Fallstudie aus Ost- und Westdeutschland
• Extent: Seite(n): 38
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Veröffentlichungsversion; nicht begutachtet

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Sozialwissenschaften, Soziologie ; Soziologie, Anthropologie ; Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung ; Familiensoziologie, Sexualsoziologie ; soziale Unterstützung ; Generationenverhältnis ; Eltern-Kind-Beziehung ; Arbeitsteilung ; geschlechtsspezifische Faktoren ; Geschlechtsrolle ; Rollenbild ; Partnerschaft ; Familienform ; alte Bundesländer ; neue Bundesländer ; Bundesrepublik Deutschland ; Ost-West-Vergleich ; empirisch ; empirisch-qualitativ

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Klärner, Andreas ; Keim, Sylvia
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Deutschland, Rostock
• (when): 2016

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2730502
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:26 PM CEST