- Intergenerational Ambivalences: New Perspectives on Parent-Child Relations in Later Life
Dirigé par Karl Pillemer et Kurt Lüscher, cet ouvrage s'inscrit dans le débat sur le concept de l'ambivalence dans les relations intergénérationnelles. Bien conçu et structuré, il est le produit de la collaboration de chercheurs provenant de plusieurs pays. Une force de cet ouvrage est certes de soulever des perspectives conceptuelles et méthodologiques tout en fournissant des exemples empiriques illustrant le concept de l'ambivalence. Ce livre, indispensable pour ceux intéressés par ce concept, constituera une ressource importante pour les étudiants en gérontologie, en psychologie ou en sociologie ainsi que pour les professionnels oeuvrant dans le domaine de la thérapie familiale, des services sociaux et des soins de santé. [End Page 312]
One of the most hotly contested concepts in the sociology of the family at the moment is the notion of ambivalence. Debates over its existence, definition, measurement, and conceptualization have featured in issues of the Journal of Marriage and the Family (Bengtson, Giarrusso, Mabry, & Silverstein, 2002; Connidis & McMullin, 2002; Walker, 2002). This comprehensive book directly enters the debate and furthers the development of the concept. It is an essential book for anyone studying intergenerational relationships and is an excellent starting point for exploring the concept and application of ambivalence.
The book is edited by Karl Pillemer and Kurt Lüscher, the main protagonists of the concept of ambivalence in relation to intergenerational relations. It is a well-conceived and structured book. The contributors are both international scholars who formed part of a group studying intergenerational ambivalence. The group's approach is reflected in the cross-referencing and continuity between the chapters. The introduction is excellent for those wishing to immerse themselves in the topic, as it provides clear guidance on what each chapter offers and provides a good overview of the subject area. Each chapter also provides excellent bibliographies with references to further readings. The strength of the book is the way it introduces conceptual and methodological insights as well as providing empirical examples of applying the concept of ambivalence.
The book is divided into four parts reflecting these distinctions: Part 1 provides a conceptual overview and a history of the concept; Part 2 explores ways of measuring ambivalence; Part 3 examines ambivalence within specific contexts, particularly in the provision of care to dependent parents; and finally, Part 4 examines the issues in relation to the perspectives of young adults.
Part 1: Conceptual and Historical Perspectives introduces a new perspective on the old theme of ambivalence. Despite the fact that families have had ambivalent relationships throughout history (in historical time and during the life course) and that the concept has been active for psychoanalysts for many years, only recently has it entered the realm of sociological study of intergenerational relations. This is in attempt to find better representations of family life (which has both positive and negative elements) than expressed by the dichotomous solidarity and conflict models.
The editors define ambivalence as "polarized simultaneous emotions, thoughts, volitions, actions, social relations, and/or structures … considered relevant for the constitution of individual or collective identities [that] are (or can be) interpreted as temporarily or permanently irreconcilable" (p. 36).
They distinguish between ambivalence at a structural level (sociological ambivalence) and the individual level (psychological ambivalence). They propose four ideal forms of dealing with ambivalence in intergenerational relations on a normative-institutional dimension and a personal-biographical dimension. These form an anchor through the book, with chapters examining either one perspective or both.
The most significant chapter is by Kurt Lüscher in his discussion of the schematic model of intergenerational ambivalence. It not only provides a definition of ambivalence and a schematic, heuristic model, but also goes beyond theorizing to propose strategies for dealing with ambivalences (labelled "emancipation", "solidarity", "captivation", and "atomisation"). It is the detailing (chapter 1), application of the model (chapters 5 to 13), and development of theory to inform intervention strategies...