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Reciprocity and Dependency in Old Age pp 3–14Cite as

A Matter of Dignity

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Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 8))

Abstract

In this introductory chapter I highlight the essence of, and the phenomenological basis which underpins, the two-part argument on which this book is based. The first premise is that there is the potential for older people who are significantly dependent on others for their care to experience that care as spiritually diminishing if the significance of reciprocity in their lives is not recognized by those who facilitate or provide that care. The second is that highlighting the dialectical relationship that operates across the personal, cultural and structural aspects of social life has the potential to build on psychologically grounded literature relating to reciprocity in eldercare to take our understanding of the phenomenon forward in a more sociologically grounded direction. I introduce the two models which provide a basis for analysis of both the existing literature in this field, and the discussion of the findings which emerged from the research undertaken with Indian and UK elders.

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  1. 1 Worcester Road, Bangor on Dee, Wrexham, Wales, LL13 0JB, UK

    Sue Thompson

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Thompson, S. (2013). A Matter of Dignity . In: Reciprocity and Dependency in Old Age. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 8. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6687-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6687-1_1

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