Liliana Paulos - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Journal Articles by Liliana Paulos

In this article we aim at understanding the influence of social disadvantages on intergenerationa... more In this article we aim at understanding the influence of social disadvantages on intergenerational solidarity. For this study, we have considered biographical research through narratives. These narratives help explain and reflect on the beliefs of the participants, implicit theories, and their life experiences. A snowball sampling technique was considered, and the data were collected by means of 58 narrative interviews with men aged between 60 and 93 years of age, living in urban and rural areas of southern Portugal. The interviews were conducted face-to-face in the participants' houses or community centers. Content analysis was performed and our results indicated that a low educational background was determinant in the trajectories of these men. Unqualified or low qualified occupations and, in consequence, low financial capital, had both a direct and indirect effect on various domains of life. As a result, a significant part of the men live in poverty, and many others experience a very difficult situation. The results also revealed that social disadvantages had an impact on structural, functional, and associational solidarities. The levels of intergenerational exchanges are reduced and unsatisfying. Our study suggests that social class is a key factor in explaining the inequalities of older adults and also influences intergenerational solidarity at a family level. Keywords older adults, family intergenerational solidarity, educational background, inequalities Original Research What do we already know about this topic? The accumulation of social disadvantages can lead individuals into a difficult situation that is beyond their control and harm various dimensions of their lives. Intergenerational solidarity can, potentially, counteract these negative influences through the exchange of resources between members of a family lineage. How does your research contribute to the field? Educational background is the primary source of perceived inequalities among the participants, which explains the levels of poverty that older men live in. Social disadvantages have a negative impact on intergenerational exchanges which are reduced and unsatisfying. Social class and social-economic difficulties seem to reduce solidarity within the family. What are your research's implications toward theory, practice, or policy? New policies should be designed to deal with the poverty of older adults. It is advisable to redefine policies targeting the adult population and increase the qualifications of adults. These policies should be connected to existing practices, that is, measures to tackle these problems should be implemented not only during infancy and adolescence, but also during adult life.

In this article we aim at understanding the influence of social disadvantages on intergenerationa... more In this article we aim at understanding the influence of social disadvantages on intergenerational solidarity. For this study, we have considered biographical research through narratives. These narratives help explain and reflect on the beliefs of the participants, implicit theories, and their life experiences. A snowball sampling technique was considered, and the data were collected by means of 58 narrative interviews with men aged between 60 and 93 years of age, living in urban and rural areas of southern Portugal. The interviews were conducted face-to-face in the participants' houses or community centers. Content analysis was performed and our results indicated that a low educational background was determinant in the trajectories of these men. Unqualified or low qualified occupations and, in consequence, low financial capital, had both a direct and indirect effect on various domains of life. As a result, a significant part of the men live in poverty, and many others experience a very difficult situation. The results also revealed that social disadvantages had an impact on structural, functional, and associational solidarities. The levels of intergenerational exchanges are reduced and unsatisfying. Our study suggests that social class is a key factor in explaining the inequalities of older adults and also influences intergenerational solidarity at a family level. Keywords older adults, family intergenerational solidarity, educational background, inequalities Original Research What do we already know about this topic? The accumulation of social disadvantages can lead individuals into a difficult situation that is beyond their control and harm various dimensions of their lives. Intergenerational solidarity can, potentially, counteract these negative influences through the exchange of resources between members of a family lineage. How does your research contribute to the field? Educational background is the primary source of perceived inequalities among the participants, which explains the levels of poverty that older men live in. Social disadvantages have a negative impact on intergenerational exchanges which are reduced and unsatisfying. Social class and social-economic difficulties seem to reduce solidarity within the family. What are your research's implications toward theory, practice, or policy? New policies should be designed to deal with the poverty of older adults. It is advisable to redefine policies targeting the adult population and increase the qualifications of adults. These policies should be connected to existing practices, that is, measures to tackle these problems should be implemented not only during infancy and adolescence, but also during adult life.