Family Dynamics and Intergenerational Relations: A Psycho-Social Analysis. Sunil K. Verma and A. Satyanarayana (eds). New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company Private Limited, 2018, v+180 pp., Rs 638 (Hardcover). ISBN- 13: 978-93-86682-45-1

The literature on intergenerational relationships is limited in Indian gerontological studies. The book Family Dynamics and Intergenerational Relations: A Psycho-Social Analysis edited by Sunil K.Verma and A. Satyanarayana is a welcome addition. It acquaints readers with the terms used in the field and the different methods used in examining intergenerational relationships and family dynamics. The book offers a psycho-social perspective of intergenerational relationships and family dynamics. The empirical details provide a sense of how people navigate intergenerational relationships and family dynamics in general.

Drawing from studies across the globe, the first chapter indicates how different scholars have examined intergenerational relationships in various societies; and highlight the main issues and debates associated with intergenerational relationships. Spanning an extended period (1942-2012) the studies capture the changing contours of intergenerational relationships in different societies. Chapter II delineates the various methodological approaches that are relied upon to study intergenerational relationships.

Using demographic statistics and empirical data, Chapter III illustrates the different intergenerational relationships within the Indian family system. The next three chapters (Chapter IV, V, VI and VII), draw from studies conducted by the authors to explain how the primary four forms of intergenerational relationships: solidarity, conflict ambivalence and wellbeing are constructed in family settings of India. In all the study settings, the authors highlight how these four concepts vary across strata and rural and urban contexts.

To understand the different processes and functions of intergenerational relationships, the authors conducted a pilot study among five joint families in Allahabad. Relying on narrative interviews, the authors examined the nature of intergenerational relationships and their psychological consequences among the family members. The study’s findings revealed that most households experienced 41.8% of solidarity, 33.4% of Ambivalence and 24.86% Conflict.  In particular, the authors note that “most of the urban upper class and rural upper and lower class family manifest solidarity pattern of intergenerational relations. Middle-class families, both in rural and urban areas, have shown a mostly ambivalent intergenerational relationship pattern. However, the urban lower class family has shown conflict pattern of intergenerational relations” (pg: 61). However, one is not clear why the ambivalent pattern of intergenerational relations is more pronounced among middle-class families. It would be a worthwhile study to explore the social reasons for the same.

The authors also found that “solidarity experiencing group had better wellbeing than ambivalence and conflict experiencing groups and upper-class families experienced better wellbeing than the middle and lower class families” (pg: 136). A summary of this book’s findings suggests that reciprocity and interdependency are important elements in maintaining solidarity within intergenerational relationships. Though quantitative, the findings are useful to understand intergenerational patterns across different socio-economic groups in India.

As later life caregiving arrangements in India, continue to rest primarily on the family, this book makes for an important read for scholars of gerontology, sociology, psychology and demography. This book is also extremely important for policymakers and activities working for the wellbeing of the elderly in India. Owing to rapid demographic transitions in developing countries such as India, intergenerational relationships are constantly changing. A book of this kind is a welcome addition to understand the multidimensional phenomenon of intergenerational relationships.

***

Dr. Jagriti Gangopadhyay has a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the Manipal Centre for Humanities, Manipal.