Synopses & Reviews
Within the context of an ageing Asia, the growing numbers of grandparents and the important roles they play within the family propel the need for a book devoted to their experiences. This book, with its focus on the Asian perspective, is pertinent and timely as Asia has undergone socio-cultural, economic and family transformations as a result of modernization, urbanization and demographic aging in the last century. In filling a gap in the current literature, the volume seeks to answer the following questions, what is the state of grandparenting in the Asian context today? How do the roles and functions of grandparents differ depending on rural-urban differences, their relations with daughters and daughter-in-laws, and changing health of the grandparents? The book is a multidisciplinary, cross-national and inter-generational publication, lending voice to the aging grandparents in six countries i.e. China, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The volume's strength lies precisely in its rich body of qualitative, three-generational data, including grandparents, link parents and grandchildren. Gerontologists, social researchers, anthropologists, social workers, policy makers, professionals working with aging families and family caregivers form the target audience of this rich Asian volume.
Synopsis
As the population of Asia grows older, attention turns to the growing numbers of grandparents, and the important family and societal roles they play. This book traces the socio-cultural, economic and family transformations in the role of grandparents that result from a century of modernization, urbanization and demographic aging. Filling a gap in the current literature, Experiencing Grandparenthood: An Asian Perspective seeks to answer such vital questions as: What is the state of grandparenting in the Asian context today? How do the roles and functions of grandparents differ depending on rural-urban differences, their relations with daughters and daughters-in-law, and changing health of the grandparents? This multidisciplinary, cross-national and inter-generational publication lends voice to the experience of grandparents in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The volume's strength lies in its rich body of qualitative, three-generational data drawn from grandparents, link parents and grandchildren. Experiencing Grandparenthood: An Asian Perspective will benefit gerontologists, social researchers, anthropologists, social workers, policy makers, professionals working with aging families and family caregivers.
Synopsis
Contributors.-
Preface.-
Acknowledgements .-
1. Introduction: Grandparenthood in Asia.-
Kalyani K. Mehta and Leng Leng Thang.-
2. Changing Social and Demographic Characteristics in Asia.-
Tsuneo Usui and Mari Tsuruwaka.-
3. Grandparenting Roles and Functions.-
Vivian W.Q. Lou and Iris Chi .-
4. Meanings of Being a Grandparent.-
Leng Leng Thang .-
5. Stress and Conflict Management Strategies in Grandparenthood.-
Kalyani K. Mehta.-
6. The Socio-Psychological Well-Being of Grandparents.-
Perasit Kamnuansilpa and Leng Leng Thang.-
7. Custodial Grandparents and Intergenerational Support in Rural China.-
Zhen Cong and Merril Silverstein .-
8. Empowering Self-Disclouse: Life Accounts of Malaysian and Singaporean grandparents.-
Maya K. David and Ching Hei Kuang .-
9. Conclusion: Change and Continuity of Grandparenting in Contemporary Asia.-
Leng Leng Thang and Kalyani K. Mehta.-
Index.
Synopsis
This book traces the socio-cultural, economic and family transformations in the role of grandparents in Asia. It features a rich body of qualitative, three-generational data drawn from grandparents, link parents and grandchildren.
About the Author
Associate Professor Kalyani K. MEHTA
Kalyani K. MEHTA is Head of the Gerontology Programme, at University of SIM, Singapore. Her research interests are ageing-related policies and services, family caregivers, cross-cultural studies, grandparenthood, intergenerational ties and their impact on the well-being of older people. Her rich experience in the field of social gerontology spans the past 20 years. Dr Mehta's
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