Adaptation to loss

TitleAdaptation to loss
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsBoerner, K, Jopp, D
EditorWhitbourne, SK
Book TitleThe Encyclopedia of Adulthood and Aging
Volume1
Number of Volumes3
Pagination18-23
PublisherWiley Blackwell
Place PublishedOxford
ISBN Number978-1-118-52892-1
Refereed DesignationRefereed

Gendered occupational shifts in the transition to parenthood: The influence of personal networks

TitleGendered occupational shifts in the transition to parenthood: The influence of personal networks
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsGiudici, F, Widmer, E
JournalSociology
Volume51
Issue2
Pagination429-449
KeywordsBott’s hypothesis, division of labour, network’s density, personal networks, transition to parenthood
Abstract

This article investigates the influence of personal networks on changes of occupational rates of men and women becoming parents. It discusses and measures the effects of various interconnected dimensions of network structures and compositions, such as density, degree of overlap between partners’ networks, geographical distance between network members, and types of relations (family, friendship, or others). A set of longitudinal analyses on 235 couples becoming parents in Switzerland shows that for women, higher density in emotional support triggers a reduction in occupational rates once the first child is born, while for men, a higher density in practical support is associated with an increase of occupational rates, with a resulting increase of gender inequalities in the division of paid labour. Results are valid both for intended changes and for changes observed in the transition, and they hold when controlling for parents’ educational level, income and personal values about gender equality.

DOI10.1177/0038038515601857
Refereed DesignationRefereed

Lay definitions of family and social capital in later life

TitleLay definitions of family and social capital in later life
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsGirardin, M, Widmer, E
JournalPersonal Relationships
Volume22
Issue4
Pagination712-737
Abstract

This study explores the lay definitions of family in old age and their consequences for social capital in using an egocentric network approach. Data were derived from a subsample of 578 elders (aged 65 and older) from the Vivre/Leben/Vivere (VLV) study, a large survey addressing family life and health conditions of older people in Switzerland. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to create a typology of family networks based on family members who were cited as significant. We identified six family networks: Conjugal, Son, Daughter, Sibling, Kinship, and Sparse. These feature bonding and bridging social capital unequally. Therefore, one should take into account the lay definitions of family to better understand social capital within families in later life.

URLhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pere.12107/abstract
DOI10.1111/pere.12107
Refereed DesignationRefereed