All my responsibilities towards my children are over! Linked lives and life course obligations among older adults with migrant children in India

Ajay Bailey*, K.S. James, Jyoti S. Hallad

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter investigates how life course obligations, expectations and practices are linked to older adults’ sense of well-being. It takes a life course approach with a specific focus on linked lives. Linked lives recognises that life trajectories of individuals are socially embedded and closely linked to the transitions of significant others such as family members. Moreover, it is important to see linked lives as translocal as they include older adults in migrant households, their adult children (co-residing or migrant children), grandchildren, caregivers and non-kin social networks. To explore these issues qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 37 older adults. The participants included couples, widows and widowers. Participants in this study include both older adults co-residing with kin and older adults residing on their own. The results show that life stages and expectations of successful transition from one stage to the next was perceived as crucial for the offspring and for the older adults. The chapter observes that economic security, social support, health and better living conditions aid in realising the life course obligations and contribute towards the overall well-being of the older adults.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCare for Older Adults in India
Subtitle of host publicationLiving Arrangements and Quality of Life
EditorsAjay Bailey, Martin Hyde, K. S. James
PublisherPolicy Press
Chapter7
Pages118-139
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9781447357414
ISBN (Print)978-1447357339
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2022

Publication series

NameAgeing in a Global Context
PublisherPolicy Press

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