Dominant theoretical approaches to the study of intergenerational family relations

Abstract

The paper discusses the dominant theoretical perspectives and concepts which aim to explain various aspects of intergenerational family relations. The intention of this paper is to point out the epistemic potentials and some theoretical and methodological problems of these theories. The first part of this paper includes an overview of the basic concepts necessary for the study of intergenerational relations and transfers, as well as the socio-demographic circumstances responsible for the relevance of this topic during the last few decades. Following this, the dominant theoretical approaches and their contributions to this subject will be introduced: namely, the theory of intergenerational solidarity and the theory of intergenerational ambivalence. In the last section of the paper we will present a critical review of these theoretical perspectives.