Abstract
In this paper, we argue that research on the everyday life of older people needs to move beyond anthropocentrism because non-human support contributes to the diversity of their social networks. We elaborate this argument by examining how companion dogs are involved in the urban empty-nest family in Guangzhou (an aging and highly urbanized city in China), the building of multispecies kinships by urban empty nesters in later life and improving the health of urban empty nesters. Participatory observations and 20 in-depth interviews were combined to assess the association between dog ownership and the reconstruction of later life. Specifically, we focus on the co-disciplined pursuit of outdoor activities by urban empty nesters and their companion dogs; this pursuit represents a shared leisure practice that maintains multispecies kinship and is a creative way for older individuals to improve their happiness and physical functioning. This paper provides a relational and reflective understanding of the interaction between the urban empty nesters and companion dogs and the implications of this interaction in the urban leisure space.
Highlights
In recent years, the Chinese government has promoted a more active lifestyle for seniors to improve their health and well-being
We investigate how empty nesters accept companion dogs into their lives and how multispecies kinship is developed in this process
One of the positive ways to thrive in old age is to live and engage in leisure activities with their companion dogs; living and engaging in leisure activities with companion dogs have been proved in our study to be effective in channeling more support to seniors through a wider social network
Summary
The Chinese government has promoted a more active lifestyle for seniors to improve their health and well-being. This discourse encourages older people to spend their remaining years positively; stay healthy and independent; and thereby delay physical decline, prevent diseases, and improve their quality of life. New discursive constructions tend to link “old age” to the changing demographic situation and the reconstitution of urban households [2] In this situation, urban empty nesters are more likely than those living with their children to face such difficulties as lack of social support (especially from family members) and limited urban space. Our aim is quite different; we will utilize a relational angle about leisure and multispecies interaction [6] to delve deeply into the life of urban empty nesters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
