Shifts in intergenerational solidarity: Eldercare in the Turkish community of a Belgian City

Abstract

In this chapter, we analyse shifts in intergenerational solidarity in eldercare in a Turkish immigrant community in Belgium. We observe two ongoing shifts, though both are still in initial phases. The first is a shift from external cultural obligation to supply family care to a more internalised sense of obligation among adult children. The second shift concerns a transition in relation to the legal dimension of solidarity. While individuals in the Turkish immigrant community contribute to professional care and care insurance through taxes and contributions, they make little use of them. We see early signs of an increased openness towards professional care, enabling the integration of the Turkish community in professional care and care insurance beyond merely contributing to the system, and using those services too.