Question 1

What is meant by the phrase "intimacy at a distance" and why do older adults prefer it?

Accepted Answer

Rather than live in the same home as their adult children, most older people prefer "intimacy at a distance"-that is, living independently yet being close enough to visit. Even when health or financial losses force older people to leave their family home, they still prefer some form of independent living and view co-residence as a burden to their family. In contrast, older members of some ethnic groups (e.g., East or South Asians) prefer to live with their children where they are rooted in long-standing cultural traditions, or they do so because they have no choice owing to financial or health reasons. Highlight 9.1 on page 285 illustrates "intimacy at a distance" and why five older persons in Ottawa selected an independent life in a seniors' residence rather than live with one of their children.

Question 2

What are the reported advantages and disadvantages of being childless in later life?

Accepted Answer

Advantages: fewer worries and problems, more financial wealth, and greater freedom. Disadvantages: lack of companionship, lack of support and care, and missed experiences and thus feeling incomplete (most likely to be reported by women).

Question 3

How can racial and ethnic background influence family relationships across the life course?

Accepted Answer

Racial and ethnic background can have a strong impact on family relationships across the life course. Most studies of ethnic or racial-minority families have found that there is greater obligation and dependence on kinship ties than in mainstream society for social relationships, housing, personal care, and financial support, especially in the later years. Perhaps because of minority-group status and unique cultural values, a closely knit extended family-rather than friends or social organizations-serves as the primary resource for assistance and support. But this dependence on family creates a stressful paradox for older members, especially those who are widowed. Elderly parents in immigrant families are well integrated into the kin network, often living in a child's household. But they often report feeling lonely, isolated, and bored in this type of living arrangement. Many are dependent on kin for emotional, social, and financial support, and some report that they are just servants for their children and grandchildren. If they do not speak English or French and if they live in non-ethnic, suburban communities, with no contact with age peers from their cultural group, the family may be their only social contact.

Question 4

Which of the following is true about never-married women?

Accepted Answer

A)   They have no access to a pension.
B)   They tend to suffer from financial insecurity.
C)   They feel stigmatized by being single.
D)   They are likely to be highly-educated.

Question 5

In the future, older people will have fewer biological grandchildren than they do now.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In what ways have discontinuities and irregularities in the traditional family life course resulted in a social reconstruction of the family?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways have discontinuities and irregularities...

Question 7

What is the role of the kin keeper?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the role of the kin...

Question 8

What is family?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is family?...

Question 9

Kinless older persons tend to be which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   Higher income
B)   Divorced
C)   Poorly educated
D)   In poor health

Question 10

Widowed women are more likely than widowed men to need help with which task?

Accepted Answer

A)   Handling financial matters
B)   Keeping in touch with family
C)   Cooking meals
D)   Cleaning the house

Question 11

Which of the following is true about divorced parents and their relationship with their adult children?

Accepted Answer

A)   Divorced fathers receive more assistance and support from their children than do divorced mothers.
B)   Divorced mothers receive more assistance and support from their children than do divorced fathers.
C)   Divorced parents generally provide more financial aid and support to their adult children.
D)   Divorced parents have more contact than married parents with their adult children.

Question 12

Which of the following relationships is likely to have the strongest ties?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sisters
B)   Brothers
C)   A sister and a brother
D)   Siblings who hold different socio-economic statuses

Question 13

Which of the following statements regarding major changes in family and kinship structures is false?

Accepted Answer

A)   There has been a shift from an "age-condensed" structure to an "age-gapped" structure in some extended families.
B)   There has been an emergence of truncated families in which a specific family lineage eventually disappears when the youngest generation is childless by choice or by chance.
C)   The kinship system has become shorter, resulting in less complex family relationships.
D)   The number of reconstituted or blended families as a result of remarriage following divorce or widowhood has increased.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about the definition of family?

Accepted Answer

A)   Family is restricted to blood or marriage ties.
B)   Family is dynamic and changes across time and culture.
C)   Family is static across time and culture.
D)   Family is the same as kin.

Question 15

How does social class impact the frequency and nature of intergenerational relationships?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does social class impact the frequency...

Question 16

What are the characteristics of the "empty nest" in North America in contrast to developing countries?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the characteristics of the "empty...

Question 17

What are four main issues concerning relationships between older parents and adult children that have been emphasized in recent years?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are four main issues concerning relationships...

Question 18

Which of the following are informal family-like relationships that emerge with neighbours or friends over time and often evolve to a level where a friend or neighbour is almost like a relative?

Accepted Answer

A)   Community networks
B)   Kinship circles
C)   Fictive kin
D)   Childless networks

Question 19

In what ways are gay and lesbian relationships disadvantaged in terms of family support?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways are gay and lesbian...

Question 20

The "empty nest" is more common outside of North America.

Accepted Answer