Abstract
German unification led to a substantial out-migration of younger eastGermans to the West. This paper discusses possible impacts of thisout-migration upon the social support networks of older people in the eastGerman city of Leipzig. Using Wenger's network typology, information wassought about the social support networks of 54 people aged 65+ for 1989and 1993. The intention was to identify the extent to which supportnetworks were resistant to change and, where changes occurred, whethersuch changes could directly be attributed to unification. The study'sfindings indicate only a modest impact of unification upon older people'ssocial support networks in Leipzig. The overwhelming majority of supportnetworks remained the same over the period of analysis, suggesting thatinformal support for older people is more robust and resistant to socialchange than might be anticipated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bürgerumfrage (1992). Bürgerumfrage 1992: Zur Lebenssituation der 55bis 75jährigen. Leipziger Statistik, Sonderinformation 3. Leipzig: Stadt Leipzig.
Dallinger, U. & Naegele, G. (1993). Sozialpolitik und Lebenslage älterer Menschen in den neuen Ländern: Wandel im System sozialer Sicherung und Versorgung, in G. Naegele & H.P. Tews (eds.), Lebenslagen im Strukturwandel des Alters(pp. 301–313). Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag.
Scharf, T. (1995). Older people in Leipzig: Coping with the challenges of everyday life, in E. Kolinsky (ed.), Between hope and fear. Everyday life in postunification East Germany: A case study of Leipzig(pp. 201–225). Keele: Keele University Press.
Scharf, T. (1997). Older people, family networks and support systems in post-communist Germany, in E. Kolinsky (ed.), Social transformation and the family in post-communist Germany. Aldershot: Dartmouth Gower (forthcoming).
Statistisches Jahrbuch 1992. Leipzig: Stadt Leipzig.
Thissen, F., Wenger, G.C. & Scharf, T. (1995). Community structure and support network variation in rural areas: A United Kingdom–Netherlands comparison, in T. Scharf & G.C. Wenger (eds.), International perspectives on community care for older people(pp. 59–94). Aldershot: Avebury.
Vortmann, H. & Wagner, G. (1993). Lebensverhältnisse älterer Menschen in der früheren DDR und im früheren Bundesgebiet, in Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen (ed.), Expertisenzum ersten Altenbericht der Bundesregierung–II(pp. 199–240). Berlin: Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen.
Wenger, G.C. (1989). Support networks in old age: Constructing a typology, in M. Jefferys (ed.), Growing old in the twentieth century(pp. 166–185). London: Routledge.
Wenger, G.C. (1990). Change and adaptation in informal support networks of elderly people in Wales 1979–1987, Journal of Aging Studies4: 375–389.
Wenger, G.C. (1992). Help in old age–Facing up to change: A longitudinal network study. Institute of Human Ageing, Occasional Papers 5. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.
Wenger, G.C. (1994a). Understanding support networks and community care. Aldershot: Avebury.
Wenger, G.C. (1994b). Support networks of older people: A guide for practitioners. Bangor: Centre for Social Policy Research and Development, University of Wales.
Wenger, G.C. & Shahtahmasebi, S. (1990). Variations in support networks: Some social policy implications, in J. Mogey (ed.), Aiding and aging: The coming crisis(pp. 255–277). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Wenger, G.C. & Shahtahmasebi, S. (1991). Survivors: Support network variation and sources of help in rural communities, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology6: 41–82.
Wenger, G.C. & St Leger, F. (1992). Community structure and support network variation, Ageing and Society12: 213–236.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scharf, T. Informal support for older people in post-unification East Germany: Stability and change. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 12, 61–72 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006545109132
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006545109132