Introduction

Population ageing has been a major factor influencing changes in intergenerational relationships. Some of the key questions explored in research over the past two decades have concerned issues relating to generational equity, the emergence of new forms of multigenerational support, the characteristics of intergenerational solidarity and changing roles and relationships within families (Bengtson, 1993; Fokkema et al, 2008). This literature has raised important issues about changes affecting the lives of older people both within and without the sphere of family relationships. At the same time, demographic change must itself be nested in broader social and economic developments, with the processes associated with globalisation among the most important. For the purpose of this chapter, the issues for discussion can be identified at three levels: first, the characteristics associated with global ageing and the underlying changes in mortality and fertility; second, developments associated with globalisation and its impact on formal and informal relationships; and third, the influence of both on the nature of intergenerational ties, and new forms of contact and reciprocity across generations.

Following a brief overview, a summary of the key changes associated with global ageing on the one side and globalisation on the other are presented, followed by a detailed consideration of the characteristics of intergenerational ties placed within this wider context. The discussion then moves to explore links between globalisation and family change, ending with a return to assess the nature of intergenerational ties and the possibility of these contributing to conflict or cohesion in the 21st century.

Generations, ageing and globalisation

The relationship between generations and ageing raises a number of complex issues for social analysis. Bengtson and Putney (2006, p 20) make the point that: ‘The problem of generations and ageing, and the resulting problems of generational succession, support, stability and change, represents one of the most enduring puzzles about social organization and behaviour’. They see the issues as threefold: first, the problem of families or societies ensuring continuity given changes in membership through birth, ageing and generational succession; second, the question of how generations can adapt to a changing social and environmental context; third, the issue of dealing with conflicts or tensions between generations.