CH-14 Families in Middle and Later Life – Exploring Marriages and Families : Exam Guide

Chapter 14: Families in Middle and Later Life Part I: Multiple Choice Questions Learning Objective 14.1: What is a “demographic revolution”? 1. In 1900 only 1 person in ______________ was aged 65 or older; by 2030 it will be 1 person in ______________ . A. 100; 10 B. 25; 5 C. 50; 10 D. 500; 50 E. 10; 3 Answer: B Rationale: In 1900 only 1 person in 25 was elderly; by 2030 it will likely be 1 person in 5. 2. Henry was born in 1951. He is referred to as a member of the: A. demographic revolution. B. centenarians. C. baby boom generation. D. formal caregivers. E. baby bust cohort. Answer: C Rationale: The baby boom generation refers to those born after WWII into the early 1960s. 3. An average male and female born in 2009 can expect to live to what ages, on average? A. 76 male; 81 female B. 80 male; 80 female C. 81 male; 79 female D. 85 male; 87 female E. 68 male; 72 female Answer: A Rationale: On average, a girl born in 2009 will live to 81 years, and a boy to 76 years. 4. How many elderly are in the U.S. today? A. 21 million B. 40 million C. 59 million D. 72 million E. 124 million Answer: B Rationale: In 2010 there were about 40 million elderly in the U.S. Learning Objective 14.2: Which group of elders is increasing most rapidly? 5. Which is the fastest growing cohort in the U.S.? A. teenagers B. 45-64 year olds C. 65 and over D. the oldest-old cohort E. centenarians Answer: D Rationale: The oldest-old cohort, those age 85 and over, are the fastest growing cohort. 6. My grandmother lived to be 108.5 years. She is an example of the Census Bureau’s category called: A. century lives. B. the oldest-old cohort. C. OAIs. D. century markers. E. centenarian. Answer: E Rationale: Centenarian refers to people age 100 and over. 7. Which of the following best represents patterns of aging in the U.S.? A. The majority of men and women age 85 and over are widowed. B. Elderly men are more likely to live alone than are elderly women. C. The sex ratio of men and women is nearly equal until age 72. After that age, there are more women alive then men. D. Older Black women are more than five times as likely to be impoverished as are older White men. E. Widowhood rates are comparable for men and women age 65-74. Answer: D Rationale: All are false except D; 27 percent of older Black women are impoverished, compared to 5 percent of older White men. Learning Objective 14.3: In the past, were the elderly treated differently than they are today? 8. During the 17th and 18th centuries: A. most U.S. households lived in extended, multigenerational families. B. adult sons often continued to live at home until their fathers passed away, or until they received land as a wedding gift. C. poverty among the elderly was very high. D. people saw old age as characterized by physical and mental decline, dependence, and weakness instead of as a natural process. E. the Social Security Act was passed. Answer: B Rationale: Only B is correct; the others are false or occurred in the 19th century. 9. Industrialization ______________ the status of the elderly. A. decreased B. increased C. had no effect on Answer: A Rationale: The elderly could not keep up with the demands of industrialization. Learning Objective 14.4: Why was Social Security created? 10. The Social Security Act was passed in: a) 1870 B. 1901 C. 1935 D. 1946 E. 1974 Answer: C Rationale: The Social Security Act was passed in 1935 during the Great Depression. 11. Which is true with regard to the Social Security Act? A. It was a response to the poverty from which many elders suffered. B. It was passed in 1901. C. It was a response to the dangerous working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. D. It was available to Whites only until 1935. E. It was available to men only until 1946. Answer: A Rationale: It was created to help elders avoid poverty. Learning Objective 14.5: What patterns are associated with adult children leaving their parents’ home? 12. Raja is studying family change and is focusing on age-related transitions that are socially produced, socially recognized, and shared. He sees aging as a lifelong process influenced by social structure, historical forces, and culture. He is using the ______________ perspective. A. life-stage B. sandwich C. kin-keeping D. life-span E. life-course Answer: E Rationale: Raja is using the life-course perspective. 13. Emma’s research on middle age uses the life-stage perspective. Which of the following best describes this perspective? A. Development is a lifelong process, multidirectional, and consists of both positive and negative changes, including gains and losses. B. Overall, older parents and their adult children remain emotionally linked as children leave home, cohabit, marry, and are employed. C. Development proceeds through a fairly set pattern of sequential stages that most people experience, and these stages are nearly universal and age-linked. D. Age-related transitions that are socially produced, socially recognized, and shared; they are related to social structure, historical forces, and culture. E. The sex ratio of middle-age adults is skewed. Answer: C Rationale: The life-stage perspective suggests that development proceeds through a fairly set pattern of sequential stages that most people experience, and these stages are nearly universal and age-linked. 14. Jolene, a 28-year-old college graduate, was having financial troubles and therefore returned to live with her parents. She is an example of the ______________ generation. A. baby boom B. generation gap C. purse strings D. boomerang E. sandwich Answer: D Rationale: The boomerang generation moves back and forth from their parents’ home to their own home. Learning Objective 14.6: What type of relationships do parents have with their adult children after they finally leave home for good? 15. As adult children leave home, marry, and are employed: A. older parents and their adult children remain emotionally linked. B. adult children often have stronger feelings of attachment to their parents than their parents have to them. C. they tend to see their parents more frequently when they have children, consistent with the life-span perspective. D. conflict theory is a particularly useful tool for thinking about the exchanges made between adult children and their aging parents. E. Adult children give far more assistance to their parents than they receive from them. Answer: A Rationale: Most older parents and their adult children remain emotionally linked. 16. A nationwide study of 10,000 older adults between the ages of 48 and 70 asked about the degree to which they help their adult children, and the study found: A. 35 percent gave cash for day-to-day expenses. B. 21 percent provided funds for education. C. 16 percent helped with mortgage or rent payments. D. 10 percent provided money for health care. E. 6 percent helped pay for daycare costs. Answer: B Rationale: All are false except B; about 21 percent of older adults said they provided funds for their adult child’s education. Learning Objective 14.7: Are the elderly satisfied with their marriages? 17. Most older adults report being happy in their marriages, yet ______________ percent have moderate or strong social and emotional loneliness. A. 3-5 B. 10 C. 55 D. 40 E. 20-25 Answer: E Rationale: About 20-25 percent of older adults report being lonely, most often because they have a spouse with health problems, do not communicate frequently with their spouse, often disagree with their spouse, or evaluate their sex life as unpleasant. 18. Cross-sectional studies about marital satisfaction suggest ______________ , and Glenn’s work that followed couples over ten years found that marital satisfaction ______________ A. marital satisfaction declines; increases B. marital satisfaction is curvilinear; declines C. marital satisfaction increases; increases D. marital satisfaction remains constant; increases E. marital satisfaction is curvilinear; increases Answer: B Rationale: Cross-sectional data show a curvilinear relationship, while longitudinal data show a decline. 19. Which of the following is TRUE about sex and the elderly? A. Most women claim to give up sex by age 64, but men report being sexually active until age 70. B. Women’s hormonal changes make it more difficult to contract an STI. C. Because of high rates of widowhood, some elderly persons are engaging in sexual relationships with new partners, yet often do not think of “safe sex.” D. Physicians actively talk with their elderly patients about sex and STIs. E. The elderly have few if any sexual desires. Answer: C Rationale: Few elderly think about safe sex because the prevalence of STIs was much lower in the past and HIV was not known. 20. With respect to elders’ division of household labor: A. it becomes far more equal after the children leave home. B. it becomes far more equal if the wife retires and the husband keeps working. C. it becomes far more equal if both quit working at the same time. D. men do the majority of housework after they retire. E. the division of household labor changes little as a couple ages and women continue to do the majority of housework. Answer: E Rationale: The division of household labor changes very little as a couple ages. Learning Objective 14.8: What unique issues do LGBT elders face? 21. Somewhere between ______________ elderly are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). A. 200,000 and 400,000 B. 700,000 and 1 million C. 1 and 1.5 million D. 1.4 and 3.8 million E. 5 and 6 million Answer: D Rationale: Somewhere between 1.4 and 3.8 million elderly are LGBT. 22. All of the federal programs and laws below treat same-sex couples differently from married heterosexual couples, EXCEPT: A. Social Security pays survivor benefits to widows and widowers, but not to the surviving same-sex life partner of the deceased. B. Married couples are eligible for Social Security spousal benefits, which can allow them to earn half their spouse’s Social Security benefit if it is larger than their own. Unmarried partners are ineligible for spousal benefits. C. Medicaid regulations protect the assets and homes of married spouses when the other spouse enters a nursing home or long-term care facility; no such protections are offered to same-sex partners. D. Inheritance laws allow married couples to leave their assets to a spouse upon their death; however no such protections are offered to same-sex partners. E. If a person with a 401(k) pension plan dies, the money rolls over to a legal spouse without any tax penalty. However, since gays and lesbians cannot legally marry in most states, the surviving partner would have to pay a 20 percent federal tax. Answer: D Rationale: Only D is false; unmarried couples can also leave assets to a partner. 23. Older couples without children (as compared to those with children): A. are less well-adjusted in later life. B. have no one to rely on for social support. C. generally have worse finances. D. report being unhappy more frequently. E. are more likely than other older adults to go to a nursing facility when their health deteriorates and they are unable to take care of themselves. Answer: E Rationale: Only E is true; childfree older couples are more likely to go into a nursing facility. Learning Objective 14.9: Do men and women experience widowhood differently? 24. Why are women far more likely to be widows than are men? A. Wives are typically a few years younger than their husbands. B. Mortality rates among females are higher than for males. C. Widowed women are more likely to remarry than are widowed men. D. Men are more likely to be in the sandwich generation. E. Women are more likely to be caring for an aging relative. Answer: A Rationale: Wives are generally younger than their husbands and therefore have a greater likelihood of outliving them. 25. We have all heard the idea that an elderly person often dies soon after his or her spouse dies, referred to as a “widow effect.” Is there really an increased probability of death among new widows and widowers? A. There may be a widow effect for Hispanics, but not for Whites. B. There may be a widow effect for men, but not for women. C. There may be a widow effect for Whites, but not for Blacks. D. No, there is no widow effect. E. Yes, there is a widow effect, and it is found among all racial and ethnic groups and men and women equally. Answer: C Rationale: Some research has found a widow effect for Whites, but not for Blacks. 26. Nancy just lost her husband to cancer. She went through the five stages of grief that Elizabeth Kübler-Ross described. Which is not one of these stages? A. denial B. betrayal C. anger D. bargaining E. depression Answer: B Rationale: Betrayal is not one of the five stages. 27. Which of the following statements about widowhood is FALSE? A. Most research suggests that women have a greater difficulty coping with widowhood than men do. B. Two-fifths of female widows fall into poverty at some time during the five years after their husband’s death. C. Men, as compared to women, are generally more dependent on their spouse for social and emotional support. D. Widowed men are more likely to remarry than are widowed women. E. When young people become widowed, their difficulties may be exacerbated because death during young adulthood and middle age is so unexpected. Answer: A Rationale: Only A is false, most research suggests that men have a greater difficulty coping with widowhood. Learning Objective 14.10: What type of relationship do grandparents typically have with their grandchildren? 28. Grandma Jean and Grandpa Herb love to have their grandchildren come over to their house to play. Together they like to read books, work on puzzles, and cuddle on the couch while watching TV. Sometimes the grandchildren are able to spend the night at their house. This is an example of what kind of relationship? A. remote B. companionate C. centenarian D. involved E. parent-substitute Answer: B Rationale: Companionate grandparents enjoy fun recreational activities with their grandchildren, occasional overnight stays, and even babysitting. 29. Which of the following statements about grandparenting is TRUE? A. Grandfathers are more likely than grandmothers to be the kin keeper in the family. B. Family members generally feel more obligation to and are closer to their grandfathers than to their grandmothers. C. In minority families, grandparents are more likely to live with their grandchildren and play a valued role in child rearing, often mimicking parent-like behavior, than are grandparents in white families. D. Approximately 3 million children live with a grandparent, usually in a three- generational family. E. Children in grandparent-maintained families are more likely to be poor and on public assistance than other children in single-parent or two-parent families. Answer: C Rationale: Only C is true; minority families are more likely to have an involved model of grandparenting. Learning Objective 14.11: How is retirement a “social construction”? 30. In order for significant numbers of elderly to withdraw from the labor force, four conditions must exist in society, according to the text. Which is NOT one of these four factors? A. A society must produce an economic surplus that is large enough to support its non-employed members. B. There must be a mechanism in place to divert some of the surplus to the non-employed members. C. Non employed members should be viewed positively by the rest of the society. D. Life expectancy must reach at least 65 so that there are sufficient numbers of old people. E. The activities and leisure of the non-employed must be seen as legitimate. Answer: D Rationale: All except for Dare factors that must exist in society for widespread retirement to occur. 31. Your mom and dad are approaching retirement age. What would you tell them about sex differences in retirement? A. Women begin planning for retirement earlier than men. B. The process of retiring is associated with a decrease in marital quality for women, but not for men. C. Conflicts are more likely to arise when both spouses retire at the same time, rather than one retiring while the other continues working. D. Part-time employment is linked to retirement satisfaction for both women and men. E. Men are more satisfied with retirement than are women. Answer: E Rationale: Only E is true; men are more satisfied with retirement than are women. Learning Objective 14.12: What is “caregiving”? 32. Marcus is a gerontologist who is studying the degree of impairment that elders face in things such as bathing, dressing, eating, or walking. He is using a common set of measures known as: A. activities of daily living. B. informal care. C. long-term care. D. formal care. E. construction. Answer: A Rationale: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) measure the degree of physical impairment. 33. Alzheimer’s disease: A. is the 10th leading cause of death among the elderly. B. is an example of informal care. C. is ultimately fatal. D. has treatment available, but it is expensive. E. direct and indirect costs are estimated at $5 billion each year Answer: C Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is a slow progression, but is ultimately fatal. 34. Amy, in the opening vignette, provides care for her frail mother. According to gerontologists, this is an example of: A. in-person care. B. informal care. C. remote care. D. formal care. E. hands-on care. Answer: B Rationale: Informal care is unpaid care by someone close to the care recipient, usually a wife, daughter, husband, or son. Learning Objective 14.13: What type of stresses do caregivers experience? 35. Informal caregivers: A. often spend their own money to provide medicines, groceries, or other supplies to the person they are caring for. B. usually prefer to turn to formal care. C. are called the sandwich generation because they are taking care of their mothers, fathers, mothers-in-law, and fathers-in-law. D. are generally paid for their services. E. are generally happy, healthy, and have no regrets. Answer: A Rationale: Caregivers face a lot of stress, including spending their own money for the person they are caring for. Part II: True – False Questions 1. People born in the years after World War II through the early 1960s are referred to as the baby boom generation. Answer: True 2. “Life expectancy” defines people ages 85 and over who are the fastest growing cohort in the United States. Answer: False 3. The term oldest-old refers to the amount of time in years a person can expect to live from birth. Answer: False 4. Centenarians are people at least 100 years old. Answer: True 5. Most men over age 85 are married, but most women over age 85 are widowed. Answer: True 6. Persons age 65-74 are the fastest growing cohort in the U.S. Answer: False 7. In the “good old days” families and communities treated the elderly with respect, and showered them with power and prestige. Answer: False 8. During early industrialization, alms-houses, which housed or provided charity to needy people, were increasingly made up of elderly persons with no money and no family members to turn to for help. Answer: False 9. The Social Security Act was passed in 1935 as a response to the austere poverty many elders faced in the United States. Answer: True 10. The U.S. was among the first of industrial nations to offer cash public pensions to the elderly. Answer: False 11. The life-stage perspective claims that development is a lifelong process, is multidirectional, and consists of both positive and negative changes involving gains and losses. Answer: False 12. The life-span perspective claims development proceeds through a fairly set pattern of sequential stages that most people experience. Answer: False 13. Many adult children return to their parents’ home, move out, return, and move out once again. These adult children have been nicknamed the boomerang generation. Answer: True 14. Adult children are almost four times more likely to receive financial assistance from their aging parents as they are to provide it to them, and almost twice as likely to receive practical and emotional help as they are to give it. Answer: True 15. The research is clear: marital satisfaction drops when a couple has children, but rises again significantly after the children leave home. Answer: False 16. As a couple ages, housework is far more likely to be shared. Answer: False 17. Medicaid regulations protect the assets and homes of married spouses when the other spouse enters a nursing home or long-term care facility; no such protections are offered to same-sex partners. Answer: True 18. Generally, women have more difficulty coping with widowhood than do men. Answer: False 19. Kübler-Ross suggested five somewhat distinct stages that dying people and their loved ones experience. These five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Answer: True 20. Companionate grandparenting is a type of grandparenting in which the grandparents and grandchildren are emotionally or physically distant. Answer: False 21. Involved grandparenting is a type of grandparenting in which the grandparents and grandchildren have frequent interaction or possibly even live together. Answer: True 22. The most common reasons that grandchildren live with their grandparents without their parents present is because of parental substance abuse, inability to care for the child, neglect, and psychological and financial problems. Answer: True 23. The current recession has many older persons working longer. Answer: True 24. Kevin retired from his job because he was tired of working, didn’t get along well with his new boss, and was eligible for a pension. These are examples of macro-level factors that shape retirement. Answer: False 25. Persons studying or assisting the elderly are called gerontologists. Answer: True 26. General day-to-day activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and home repair are known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Answer: True 27. Dementia is the loss of mental functions such as thinking, memory, and reasoning. Answer: True 28. Care provided by social service agencies on a paid or volunteer basis is called informal care. Answer: False 29. Many informal caregivers find the process of caring for a relative quite stressful. Answer: True 30. Amy’s mother, from the opening vignette, is a member of the so-called “sandwich generation.” Answer: False Part III: Short Answer/Fill in the Blank Questions 1. The demographic revolution refers to: Answer: the rapidly growing number and proportion of elderly in our society. 2. What is the fastest growing age cohort? Answer: the oldest-old – those age 85 and over 3. A person age 100 and over is called a ______________ . Answer: centenarian 4. In the 17th and 18th century, parents and their adult children usually did not live together, but they may have lived nearby, perhaps even on the same land. This family style has been called a ______________ . Answer: modified extended family system 5. The U.S. Congress introduced bills for public pensions, many with no success. But during the Great Depression it became obvious that the elderly could not rely upon jobs, private pensions, savings, or their families for financial support. Therefore, what program was created? Answer: Social Security 6. There are three specific approaches that further expand the developmental perspective. These are: Answer: (1) life-stage perspective; (2) life-span perspective, and (3) life-course perspective 7. Clay, who is 28, moved back in with his parents to save more money. This is the second time he has moved back home since college. What nickname would Clay be given? Answer: boomeranger 8. ______________ theory, introduced in Chapter 1, is a useful tool for thinking about the relationship and exchanges made between adult children and their aging parents because it focuses on the costs and benefits for different types of family interactions, including financial and other assistance. Answer: Social exchange 9. Cross-sectional studies of marital satisfaction have found that marital satisfaction is ______________ , but studies following people over time have found that marital satisfaction ______________ . Answer: U-shaped (curvilinear); declines 10. As children leave home and parents retire, how do couples divide up household labor? Answer: The division of household labor changes little as a couple ages, and long-established patterns endure. Women continue to do the majority of housework. 11. Most federal programs and laws treat same-sex couples differently from married heterosexual couples. List two of these differences, according to the text. Answer: (1) Social Security pays survivor benefits to widows and widowers, but not to the surviving same-sex life partner of the deceased; (2) Married couples are eligible for Social Security spousal benefits; (3) Medicaid regulations protect the assets and homes of married spouses when the other spouse enters a nursing home or long-term care facility; no such protections are offered to same-sex partners; (4) Tax laws and other regulations of 401(k)s and pensions discriminate against same-sex partners—because they cannot legally marry in most states, the surviving partner would have to pay a 20 percent federal tax. 12. List three consequences that childlessness has on the elderly. Answer: (1) Couples without children are as well-adjusted in later life as those with children; (2) rely upon their spouses, friends, and other kin for social support; (3) their finances are generally better; (4) they report being happy (or unhappy) as frequently as do those couples with children; (5) the childfree are more likely than other older adults to go to a nursing facility when their health deteriorates and they are unable to take care of themselves. 13. What are three primary reasons for the significantly higher rates of widowhood among women than men? Answer: (1) Mortality rates among females are lower than for males; (2) Wives are typically a few years younger than their husbands; (3) Widowed women are less likely to remarry than are widowed men. 14. List the five stages of grief described by Kübler-Ross? Answer: (1) denial; (2) anger; (3) bargaining; (4) depression; (5) acceptance 15. The role of grandparent has changed over the past century in several ways. List three of these ways. Answer: (1) Grandparenting has become a role distinct from parenting because grandparents are now less likely to have their own children still living in the home; (2) Grandparents are healthier and better educated, and have greater economic security; (3) Grandparents, and grandfathers in particular, are now more likely to recognize the importance of having direct emotional involvement with young children; (4) Grandparents and their grandchildren can more easily travel long distances and communicate by telephone or computer. 16. Grandma Martinez has a warm and loving relationship with her three grandsons. She lives down the street from them, and in many ways serves as their third parent, helping to take care of them every day. What type of grandparenting relationship does this represent? Answer: involved 17. In order for significant numbers of elderly to be able to withdraw from the labor force, four conditions must exist in a society. List three of these conditions. Answer: (1) A society must produce an economic surplus large enough to support its non-employed members; (2) A mechanism must be in place to divert some of that surplus to the non-employed members; (3) Non-employed members should be viewed positively by the rest of society, and their activities or leisure must be seen as legitimate; (4) Non-employed members must have accumulated an acceptable number of years of productivity to warrant this support by the other members of society. 18. Gerontologists - researchers studying the elderly - have measured the degree of physical impairment by using a common set of measures such as bathing, dressing, eating, getting into and out of bed, walking indoors, and using the toilet. These measures are called ______________ . Answer: Activities of Daily Living 19. The care for an elderly person provided by paid visiting nurses, meals or housecleaning programs, a paid personal attendant, assisted living facilities, and nursing home care are examples of ______________ . Answer: formal care 20. Amy, in the opening vignette, is an example of someone experiencing the stress of being in the ______________ generation. Answer: sandwich Part IV: Essay Questions 1. Describe the “demographic revolution” and its consequences. Answer: The "demographic revolution" refers to significant shifts in population structure characterized by: •Population Aging: Increased life expectancy and declining birth rates lead to a larger proportion of elderly individuals in the population. •Changing Family Dynamics: Smaller family sizes and delayed marriage and childbearing alter traditional family structures. •Impact on Society: Consequences include economic implications (e.g., strain on pension systems), social changes (e.g., caregiving responsibilities), and shifts in healthcare and housing needs. The demographic revolution challenges societal norms and policies, requiring adaptations to accommodate an aging population and changing family dynamics. 2. Describe the relationship between adult children and their aging parents. Answer: The relationship between adult children and their aging parents is multifaceted: •Support Roles: Adult children often provide emotional, financial, and practical support as parents age. •Intergenerational Dynamics: Relationships evolve from dependency to reciprocity, with exchanges of caregiving and emotional support. •Challenges: Balancing autonomy and caregiving roles, addressing health and end-of-life decisions, and navigating family dynamics and conflicts. These relationships vary based on cultural norms, geographic proximity, and individual circumstances, influencing caregiving arrangements and family cohesion. 3. Describe the marriage rates of the elderly by sex and age. Now choose two of the following issues to discuss in depth: (a) marital satisfaction; (b) sexuality; (c) division of household labor. Answer: Marriage Rates of the Elderly: •Sex Differences: Elderly men tend to have higher marriage rates than elderly women, reflecting longer life expectancy and gender imbalances in the older population. •Age Differences: Marriage rates decline with age among the elderly, influenced by factors such as widowhood, health status, and social norms. •In-depth Issues: •Marital Satisfaction: •Factors: Marital satisfaction among the elderly is influenced by companionship, shared experiences, and emotional support. •Challenges: Health issues, financial stress, and changes in intimacy affect satisfaction levels. •Benefits: Emotional stability, mutual caregiving, and social support enhance marital satisfaction in later life. •Sexuality: •Changes: Aging and health conditions can affect sexual desire and function, impacting intimacy within marriages. •Communication: Open communication about changing needs and desires is crucial for maintaining sexual intimacy. •Health Considerations: Addressing health issues and seeking medical advice can support sexual well-being in older couples. Discussing these issues provides insights into the dynamics of elderly marriages, highlighting the complexities of maintaining satisfaction and intimacy in later life stages. 4. Write an essay describing the situation of gay and lesbian elders. Answer: Gay and lesbian elders face unique challenges and experiences shaped by both their sexual orientation and aging: •Historical Context: Many gay and lesbian elders grew up during periods of widespread discrimination and marginalization, influencing their life experiences and access to support networks. •Social Isolation: Limited social support and fear of discrimination can lead to heightened feelings of isolation among gay and lesbian elders. •Healthcare Disparities: Higher rates of certain health conditions, compounded by potential barriers to culturally competent care, impact health outcomes. •Legal and Policy Issues: Limited legal recognition of same-sex relationships historically may affect access to benefits and support in later life. •Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges through advocacy, community support networks, and policy reforms aimed at improving the quality of life for gay and lesbian elders. 5. How common is widowhood? Describe sex differences in widowhood. Answer: Widowhood is a common experience, particularly among older adults: •Prevalence: Around 13% of the population aged 65 and older are widowed in the United States. •Sex Differences: Women: Women are more likely to experience widowhood due to their longer life expectancy compared to men. Impact: Widowhood can have significant emotional and practical implications, including changes in social roles, financial adjustments, and health effects. Understanding these sex differences in widowhood sheds light on its prevalence and its broader impacts on older adults, emphasizing the need for social support and resources tailored to those experiencing loss. 6. What type of relationships do grandparents have with their grandchildren, and how might it vary by sex of the grandparent, or by race or ethnicity? Answer: Grandparents have diverse relationships with their grandchildren, influenced by factors such as sex of the grandparent, race, and ethnicity: • Types of Relationships: Grandparent-grandchild relationships range from supportive and nurturing to distant or strained, depending on factors like geographic proximity, cultural norms, and family dynamics. • Variations by Sex: Grandmothers often have closer and more involved relationships with grandchildren compared to grandfathers, who may express affection differently but still play important roles. • Racial and Ethnic Variations: Cultural practices, values, and intergenerational expectations shape relationships. For instance, in some cultures, grandparents play central roles in childcare and transmitting cultural heritage. Understanding these variations enriches our understanding of intergenerational dynamics and the roles grandparents play in family life across different cultural contexts. 7. Explain the situation surrounding grandchildren living with their grandparents, especially when no parent is present. Answer: When grandchildren live with their grandparents without a parent present, several circumstances may contribute to this arrangement: • Reasons: Parental substance abuse, incarceration, mental health issues, or death can lead grandparents to assume caregiving roles. • Legal Considerations: Legal guardianship or custody may be pursued to ensure children's well-being and access to resources like healthcare and education. • Challenges: Grandparents may face financial strain, health concerns, and adjustments to caregiving responsibilities later in life. • Support Systems: Community resources, support groups, and government assistance programs help grandparents navigate caregiving challenges and advocate for grandchildren's needs. This situation underscores the critical role grandparents often play as primary caregivers, providing stability and support for their grandchildren in times of family crisis or hardship. 8. Describe at least three micro-level and three macro-level factors associated with retirement. Answer: Micro-level factors: 1. Financial Preparedness: Personal savings, investments, and pension plans influence retirement readiness. 2. Health Status: Individual health and wellness affect retirement decisions and post-retirement activities. 3. Personal Preferences: Retirement timing and lifestyle choices are shaped by individual goals, hobbies, and interests. Macro-level factors: 1. Economic Conditions: National economic trends, inflation rates, and job availability impact retirement savings and benefits. 2. Social Security Policies: Government policies and reforms regarding retirement benefits and eligibility criteria. 3. Demographic Trends: Aging population dynamics, workforce changes, and retirement age trends affect retirement planning and pension systems. Understanding these factors helps analyse the complexities of retirement decision-making and societal impacts. 9. What is long-term care? Compare and contrast formal and informal long-term care. Answer: Long-term care involves assistance with daily activities and medical needs for individuals who cannot fully care for themselves due to chronic illness, disability, or aging. Formal Long-term Care: • Provided by Professionals: Care is administered in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or through home health care agencies. • Regulated: Governed by healthcare standards and regulations, ensuring quality of care but can be costly. • Skilled Services: Includes medical care, therapy, and personal care from trained professionals. Informal Long-term Care: • Provided by Family or Friends: Caregiving by relatives or close acquaintances, often unpaid. • Varied Quality: Depends on caregiver skills and availability, potentially leading to strain and burnout. • Personalized: Tailored to individual needs and preferences, fostering emotional support and familiarity. Both forms of care play essential roles but vary in terms of cost, regulation, and impact on caregivers and recipients. 10. Explain the possible stressors associated with caregiving for a frail elderly. Answer: Caregiving for a frail elderly person can be demanding due to several stressors: • Physical Demands: Assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and mobility can be physically taxing. • Emotional Strain: Witnessing decline in health, managing behavioral changes, and coping with end-of-life issues can lead to emotional stress. • Financial Burden: Costs of caregiving, including medical expenses and lost income from reduced work hours, can strain finances. • Social Isolation: Caregivers may experience social withdrawal due to time constraints and prioritizing caregiving responsibilities. • Health Effects: Caregivers often neglect their own health, leading to increased risks of stress-related illnesses and burnout. Addressing these stressors through support systems, respite care, and caregiver education is crucial for maintaining caregivers' well-being and quality of care provided to the elderly. Test Bank for Exploring Marriages and Families Karen T. Seccombe 9780205915194, 9780134708201, 9780133807776