The present study examined whether the specific functions that are generally ascribed to friends,... more The present study examined whether the specific functions that are generally ascribed to friends, are also fulfilled by other types of close relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 men and women between the ages of 65 and 75, and living in their own homes. The majority of the romantic partners, sons (in-law), daughters (in-law), other relatives and neighbours were considered to be 'like friends'. Clear differences were found between the people who were friends or who were like friends, on the one hand, and the people who were not considered as such, on the other hand. People who were friends or like friends, shared more intimate feelings, and provided more self-esteem support and instrumental help. The findings indicate that relationships that have their origins in the family-network or in the neighbourhood, can play the role of friends. Older men and women should be encouraged to intensify these relationships.
This report attempts to quantify the impact of changes over time in kinship networks in the Nethe... more This report attempts to quantify the impact of changes over time in kinship networks in the Netherlands and to project future developments. A microsimulation model of kinship networks KINSIM is developed in order to generate future trends. "After a historical sketch based on the analysis of a large number of existing genealogies the KINSIM model and its input parameters are described. Demographic scenarios are formulated and the corresponding kinship patterns are presented. For all age groups the number of living kin will sharply decline during the period 1993-2050. This is the case for both so-called `horizontal kin relationships (e.g. siblings and cousins) and `vertical kin relationships (e.g. children and nieces and nephews). The decline in the availability of kin is particularly true for the elderly kinship patterns of whom are discussed in a separate chapter." (EXCERPT) (SUMMARY IN ENG)
Using data from the 1992 NESTOR-survey 'Living arrangements and social networks of older adults' ... more Using data from the 1992 NESTOR-survey 'Living arrangements and social networks of older adults' (N = 4494), the aim of the present study is to identify specific categories of older adults who are most vulnerable to loneliness. By looking at different types of partner relationships (first, second, and third marriages; consensual unions; partners who are not household members) and at partner histories (never married, ever divorced, ever widowed, remarried), this study elaborates on previous research which has tended to look only at the presence versus the absence of partner relationships. Findings indicate that different types of partner relationships provide differential protection against loneliness. There appears to be a 'shadow of the past' of a previous divorce or widowhood in second and third partnerships, which accounts for generally higher levels of loneliness. Single men tend to be more lonely than single women. Moreover, there are no differences in loneliness between men who have always been single and those previously married. Among single women, differences in partner history are relevant: never married single women tend to be least vulnerable to loneliness. The differences in loneliness between older adults with different types of partner relationships and partner histories are only partially attributable to network and social participation differences. The latter independently contribute to the explanation of loneliness. The role of non-social determinants (health and socioeconomic position) is also examined. The results underscore the socially isolating effects of sensory impairments. Older adults with functional limitations, and those with visual or auditory problems tend to be more lonely, findings which are only partially attributable to differences in the number and quality of social relationships. Socioeconomic circumstances primarily have an indirect influence on loneliness. Those with higher levels of educational attainment and higher incomes tend to have more extensive social networks and are therefore less prone to loneliness.
... Evert van Imhoff, Bert van der Knaap, Anton Kuijsten, Aart Liefbroer, Clara Mulder, Nico van ... more ... Evert van Imhoff, Bert van der Knaap, Anton Kuijsten, Aart Liefbroer, Clara Mulder, Nico van Nimwegen, Harrie Verbon, Ad Vossen, and Frans ... ourselves extremely fortunate to have been able to call upon Willemien Kneppelhout and her colleagues Ginger van Hasselt and Anne ...
Women Come of Age is the product of a collective effort to provide 'a holistic review and ana... more Women Come of Age is the product of a collective effort to provide 'a holistic review and analysis of what it means to be an older woman living in late twentieth century Britain' (p. viii). The book is written for students, professionals and lay persons interested in learning more about the circumstances of older women. The editors express the hope that readers will find it a stimulating introduction which I found to be the case. Though the volume focuses on the United Kingdom, readers from other western industrialized countries will find sufficient information that is relevant to their situation. The topics considered in the book have been thoughtfully selected. By covering a wide range, they provide a multi-faceted view of older women's lives. Successive chapters provide reviews of research findings relating to: economic status and income, health, intimacy and sexuality, giving and receiving care, living environments, and leisure. It is evident that the production of the book was truly collective and that it has been carefully edited. Its various topics are, by their nature, interwoven, but care has been taken to differentiate the chapters. Where relevant, e.g. for the interrelations between income and leisure activities or those between health and care, useful cross-references are given. Cooperation among the contributors is also evident in the shared themes guiding the presentation of research findings. The starting point for the book was dissatisfaction with dominant conceptualizations. As is argued in the first chapter, life course approaches have largely neglected age and gender, gerontological approaches have tended to be gender-blind, while feminist researchers have only recently started to pay attention to older women. The arguments are sound but are presented summarily as in a textbook, something that is of course convenient for those looking for a concise overview of key issues. Each of the following chapters adopts a similar perspective, one that I would describe as woman-friendly and cognizant of the importance of life histories. Accordingly, each chapter for its own topic shows with insight what is unique about being old and female and the ways in which current circumstances may be shaped by the past. Moreover, careful consideration is given to diversity among older women. As far as relevant data exist, attention is paid to differences according to social class, age, marital status, sexual orientation, employment status and, most noteworthy, race and ethnicity.
The article discusses issues concerning labor market participation of women in the Netherlands an... more The article discusses issues concerning labor market participation of women in the Netherlands and Belgium. Figures comparing the labor participation of women in the Netherlands and Belgium are presented. Reasons behind the significant higher number of women in part-time works in the Netherlands than in Belgium are discussed. The family life and traditions of the Dutch and the Belgians is compared. The economic condition that prevailed in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century is highlighted.
The present study examined whether the specific functions that are generally ascribed to friends,... more The present study examined whether the specific functions that are generally ascribed to friends, are also fulfilled by other types of close relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 men and women between the ages of 65 and 75, and living in their own homes. The majority of the romantic partners, sons (in-law), daughters (in-law), other relatives and neighbours were considered to be 'like friends'. Clear differences were found between the people who were friends or who were like friends, on the one hand, and the people who were not considered as such, on the other hand. People who were friends or like friends, shared more intimate feelings, and provided more self-esteem support and instrumental help. The findings indicate that relationships that have their origins in the family-network or in the neighbourhood, can play the role of friends. Older men and women should be encouraged to intensify these relationships.
This report attempts to quantify the impact of changes over time in kinship networks in the Nethe... more This report attempts to quantify the impact of changes over time in kinship networks in the Netherlands and to project future developments. A microsimulation model of kinship networks KINSIM is developed in order to generate future trends. "After a historical sketch based on the analysis of a large number of existing genealogies the KINSIM model and its input parameters are described. Demographic scenarios are formulated and the corresponding kinship patterns are presented. For all age groups the number of living kin will sharply decline during the period 1993-2050. This is the case for both so-called `horizontal kin relationships (e.g. siblings and cousins) and `vertical kin relationships (e.g. children and nieces and nephews). The decline in the availability of kin is particularly true for the elderly kinship patterns of whom are discussed in a separate chapter." (EXCERPT) (SUMMARY IN ENG)
Using data from the 1992 NESTOR-survey 'Living arrangements and social networks of older adults' ... more Using data from the 1992 NESTOR-survey 'Living arrangements and social networks of older adults' (N = 4494), the aim of the present study is to identify specific categories of older adults who are most vulnerable to loneliness. By looking at different types of partner relationships (first, second, and third marriages; consensual unions; partners who are not household members) and at partner histories (never married, ever divorced, ever widowed, remarried), this study elaborates on previous research which has tended to look only at the presence versus the absence of partner relationships. Findings indicate that different types of partner relationships provide differential protection against loneliness. There appears to be a 'shadow of the past' of a previous divorce or widowhood in second and third partnerships, which accounts for generally higher levels of loneliness. Single men tend to be more lonely than single women. Moreover, there are no differences in loneliness between men who have always been single and those previously married. Among single women, differences in partner history are relevant: never married single women tend to be least vulnerable to loneliness. The differences in loneliness between older adults with different types of partner relationships and partner histories are only partially attributable to network and social participation differences. The latter independently contribute to the explanation of loneliness. The role of non-social determinants (health and socioeconomic position) is also examined. The results underscore the socially isolating effects of sensory impairments. Older adults with functional limitations, and those with visual or auditory problems tend to be more lonely, findings which are only partially attributable to differences in the number and quality of social relationships. Socioeconomic circumstances primarily have an indirect influence on loneliness. Those with higher levels of educational attainment and higher incomes tend to have more extensive social networks and are therefore less prone to loneliness.
... Evert van Imhoff, Bert van der Knaap, Anton Kuijsten, Aart Liefbroer, Clara Mulder, Nico van ... more ... Evert van Imhoff, Bert van der Knaap, Anton Kuijsten, Aart Liefbroer, Clara Mulder, Nico van Nimwegen, Harrie Verbon, Ad Vossen, and Frans ... ourselves extremely fortunate to have been able to call upon Willemien Kneppelhout and her colleagues Ginger van Hasselt and Anne ...
Women Come of Age is the product of a collective effort to provide 'a holistic review and ana... more Women Come of Age is the product of a collective effort to provide 'a holistic review and analysis of what it means to be an older woman living in late twentieth century Britain' (p. viii). The book is written for students, professionals and lay persons interested in learning more about the circumstances of older women. The editors express the hope that readers will find it a stimulating introduction which I found to be the case. Though the volume focuses on the United Kingdom, readers from other western industrialized countries will find sufficient information that is relevant to their situation. The topics considered in the book have been thoughtfully selected. By covering a wide range, they provide a multi-faceted view of older women's lives. Successive chapters provide reviews of research findings relating to: economic status and income, health, intimacy and sexuality, giving and receiving care, living environments, and leisure. It is evident that the production of the book was truly collective and that it has been carefully edited. Its various topics are, by their nature, interwoven, but care has been taken to differentiate the chapters. Where relevant, e.g. for the interrelations between income and leisure activities or those between health and care, useful cross-references are given. Cooperation among the contributors is also evident in the shared themes guiding the presentation of research findings. The starting point for the book was dissatisfaction with dominant conceptualizations. As is argued in the first chapter, life course approaches have largely neglected age and gender, gerontological approaches have tended to be gender-blind, while feminist researchers have only recently started to pay attention to older women. The arguments are sound but are presented summarily as in a textbook, something that is of course convenient for those looking for a concise overview of key issues. Each of the following chapters adopts a similar perspective, one that I would describe as woman-friendly and cognizant of the importance of life histories. Accordingly, each chapter for its own topic shows with insight what is unique about being old and female and the ways in which current circumstances may be shaped by the past. Moreover, careful consideration is given to diversity among older women. As far as relevant data exist, attention is paid to differences according to social class, age, marital status, sexual orientation, employment status and, most noteworthy, race and ethnicity.
The article discusses issues concerning labor market participation of women in the Netherlands an... more The article discusses issues concerning labor market participation of women in the Netherlands and Belgium. Figures comparing the labor participation of women in the Netherlands and Belgium are presented. Reasons behind the significant higher number of women in part-time works in the Netherlands than in Belgium are discussed. The family life and traditions of the Dutch and the Belgians is compared. The economic condition that prevailed in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century is highlighted.
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