Family, Intergenerational Solidarity, and Post-Traditional Society

Ronald J. Angel is Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.Jacqueline L. Angel is Professor in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.

'Finally, a critical, accessible and contextual analysis of the rhetoric of ‘families have changed and family care is at risk’. Angel and Angel take a contemporary American family on a journey of recreating their relationships and of caring for older family members. This book is a lovely gift to students preparing themselves for careers in family gerontology.' - Norah C. Keating, Swansea University, UK'Family, Intergenerational Solidarity, and Post-Traditional Society addresses practical choices required at crucial stages of family cycles, considering them as moral and ethical dilemmas that arise in various social and economic circumstances. In very accessible language it articulates theoretical contributions and presents evocative vignettes and stimulating discussions. It is recommended reading for social scientists, students, and lay audiences alike.' - Blandine Destremau, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France'Who cares for elders? Because our nation and government prize independence, the responsibility largely falls to families, especially children. Families must marshal and deplete private resources, be resigned to marginal care, or shoulder it themselves. In many states, children are even legally obligated to provide it. Families know little about how to navigate the continuum of care, but along the way must confront big decisions with big consequences. The Angels sound an alarm for the U.S.—and provide an indispensable guide to this precarious process.' - Richard Settersten, Oregon State University, USA'Family, Intergenerational Solidarity, and Post-Traditional Society addresses rapidly evolving moral and ethical dilemmas that individuals in different types of families must face in the absence of traditional rules. This book will be of great value in courses in family sociology, gerontology, medical sociology ethics, the social impact of medical technology, and others.' - Kyriakos S. Markides, University of Texas, USA

• 1. Changing Intergenerational Family Dependence: A Difficult Famoly Decision 2. The Ties that Bind? Changing Family Options: A Long Way from Ozzie and Harriet 3. Socializing the Financial Support of the Elderly: Who Pays for Care at the End of Life? 4. Manufactured Risk and Reproductive Technology: There are Many Ways to Have a Baby 5. Where Will We Put Mimi?: When Family Members Do Not Agree 6. Mandatory Support of Aging Parents: A Moral Obligation 7. Respect for Autonomy: Difficult Decisions Concerning Medical Care: Who Decides When Treatment is Useless? 8. Family Decisons at the End of Life: Une mort très douce 9. Physician Assisted Death: I Am the Master of My Fate 10. Civil Society and the Family: If You Can't Be with the One You Love... 11. The Future of Intergenerational Solidarity: Families Caring for an Aging America