Elderly Women and their Flexible Relationships with Children

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show new trends in relationships between elderly mothers and their children. I suggest that the changing role of elderly women in the family is a contemporary phenomenon that is occurring among elderly Japanese. Reviewing previous research conducted in the United States, I analyzed the increasing incidence of the negotiation between elderly mothers and their children. In particular, I focused on the ability of elderly women to form close relationships in later life. Additionally, case studies are presented in this paper. Major findings include: (1) elderly women form extensive reciprocal networks with others, including their children, (2) Elderly women form relations with their children to fit their own life style. In summary, the relationships between elderly women and their children show a great level of flexbility. Finally, the meaning of flexible parent-child relations is discussed.