Based on data from 40 open-ended interviews with working- and middle-class adult children and children-in-law currently caring for an elderly parent, this study focused on the transition to the role of filial caregiver. Class differences in the formation of parent-caring networks among siblings and in the conflict that ensued when siblings did not provide assistance were examined. Although only one-third of the sample received assistance from siblings, it occurred more often in working-class families and was usually the result of family values which emphasized helping one another and an obligation to provide care for one's parents. When siblings did not provide assistance, sisters were more likely to ask for help while brothers demanded it. Often, lack of sibling assistance was a reflection of prior family histories. Implications for later-life families are discussed.
Abel, E.K. (1991) Who Cares for the Elderly? Public Policy and the Experience of Adult Daughters. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.
2.
Altschuler, J. , Jacobs, S. & Shiode, D. (1985) `Psychodynamic Time-limited Groups for Adult Children of Aging Parents', American Journal of Orthopsychiatry53: 397-403.
3.
Archbold, P.G. (1983) `Impact of Parent-caring on Women', Family Relations32: 39-45.
4.
Bedford, V.H. (1989) `A Comparison of Thematic Apperceptions of Sibling Affiliation, Conflict, and Separation at Two Periods of Adulthood', International Journal of Aging and Human Development28: 53-65.
5.
Bedford, V.H. (1992) `Memories of Parental Favoritism and the Quality of Parent-Child Ties in Adulthood', Journal of Gerontology47: S149-S155.
6.
Bedford, V.H. & Gold, D.T. (1989) `Siblings in Old Age: A Forgotten Relationship', American Behavioral Scientist33: 19-32.
7.
Cicirelli, V. (1985) `The Role of Siblings as Family Caregivers', in W. Sauer & R. Coward (eds) Social Support Networks and the Care of the Elderly. New York: Springer.
8.
Goetting, A. (1986) `The Developmental Tasks of Siblingship Over the Life Cycle', Joumal of Marriage and the Family48(4): 703-714.
9.
Hagestad, G.O. & Neugarten, B. (1985) `Age and the Life Course', in R. Binstock & E. Shanas (eds) Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
10.
Horowitz, A. (1985) `Sons and Daughters as Caregivers to Older Parents: Differences in Role Performance and Consequences', Gerontologist25(6): 612-617.
11.
Kerbo, H. (1991) Social Stratification and Inequality: Class Conflict in Historical and Comparative Perspective. New York: McGraw-Hill.
12.
Langman, L. (1987) `Social Stratification', in M.B. Sussman and S.K. Steinmetz (eds) Handbook of Marriage and the Family, pp. 211-247. New York: Plenum Press.
13.
Lerner, M.J. , Somers, D.G., Reid, D., Chiriboga, D. & Tierney, M. (1991) `Adult Children as Caregivers: Egocentric Biases in Judgments of Sibling Contributions', Gerontologist31: 746-755.
14.
Matthews, S.H. & Rosner, T.T. (1988) `Shared Filial Responsibility: The Family as the Primary Caregiver', Journal of Marriage and the Family50: 185-195.
15.
Maugans, J.E. (1994) Aging Parents, Ambivalent Babyboomers: A Critical Approach to Gerontology. Dix Hills, NY: General Hall.
16.
Myers, D.R. & Dickerson, B.E. (1990) `Intragenerational Interdependence Among Older, Low-Income African American, Mexican American, and Anglo Siblings', Family Perspective24: 217-243.
17.
Newman, K.S. (1993) Declining Fortunes. New York: Basic Books.
18.
Rubin, L.B. (1976) Worlds of Pain: Life in the Working-Class Family. New York: Harper-Collins.
19.
Rubin, L.B. (1994) Families on the Fault Line. New York: HarperCollins.
20.
Snyder, B. & Keefe, K. (1985) `The Unmet Needs of Family Caregivers for Frail and Disabled Adults', Social Work in Health Care10: 1-14.
21.
Stoller, E.P. , Forster, L.E. & Duniho, T.S. (1992) `Systems of Parent Care Within Sibling Networks', Research on Aging14(1): 28-49.
22.
Stone, R. , Cafferata, G.L. & Sangl, J. (1987) `Caregivers of the Frail Elderly: A National Profile', Gerontologist27(5): 616-626.
23.
Strawbridge, W.J. & Wallhagen, M.I. (1991) `Impact of Family Conffict on Adult Child Caregivers', Gerontologist31(6): 770-777.
24.
Tennstedt, S. , McKinlay, J. & Sullivan, L. (1989) `Informal Care for Frail Elders: The Role of Secondary Caregiver', Gerontologist29: 677-683.
25.
Treas, J. (1977) `Family Support Systems for the Aged', Gerontologist17(6): 486-491.
