Intergenerational Solidarity

This volume analyzes intergenerational solidarity from diverse interdisciplinary angles within the social sciences. It provides analytical tools to advance research and documents how societies are adjusting to major changes that affect the core of the social fabric.

"Changing ties among generations caused by migration of working-age adults, aging populations, increased reliance on non-family caregivers, and government pension programs raise serious issues concerning how to protect and support young and old dependent groups. This important collection of essays identifies tensions and proposes methods for improving relations among generations such that the needs of each are addressed rather than producing inter-generational conflict. The volume is a significant interdisciplinary contribution to dealing with divisions that have become salient in countries around the world." - Susan S. Fainstein, Professor of Urban Planning at Harvard University and author of The Just City

"An international group of experts in the most varied disciplines combine their efforts in this book to make an urgent call for strengthening our understanding of intergenerational solidarity. In acknowledging the multiplicity of factors involved, the authors unlock some rich responses to the challenges of aging, climate change, the evolution of families, and the sustainability of life styles supported by inequality, to name a few. Not only educators and researchers will find pearls of wisdom in this collection. Health care practitioners, social service providers, and policy makers, and anyone with responsibilities in the public arena will learn how their efforts could be organized meaningfully around a process that impacts all of us." - Gonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, MPH, Ikerbasque Research Professor, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

"based on solid arguments and rigorous analysis, this book is a splendid example of the high value that solidarity among generations carries for everyone in society, making it a truly shared society, a society for all." - Wim Kok, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and President of the Club de Madrid

"This is an important volume that addresses a set of issues facing virtually all societies today - the challenges of bridging generations and addressing the needs of the aging and young alike, when resources are scarce and hotly contested. Bringing together data and insights from different disciplines and societies, the authors offer useful conceptual discussion about intergenerational solidarity, and also provide concrete examples of policies and practices that advance this important goal. Along the way, they also dispel some common myths and stereotypes, such as that of the overburdened and largely female "sandwich generation"; which apparently, is more resilient and positive about its responsibilities than popular media portrayals suggest. An overarching theme in this volume is the need to effectively integrate public and private sector actions, and ensure that nonprofit, community - based initiatives and broader public policies reinforce each other. This is an indispensable read for academics and practitioners alike. It should certainly inspire additional research, as the volume makes clear that this is a new field in which data and knowledge are still limited and in urgent demand. Beyond the academy, it will be especially useful for those of us who study or practice philanthropy, for social service providers, and for policymakers who face these challenges on a daily basis." - Cynthia A. Sanborn, Director, Research Center of the Universidad del Pacífico (CIUP), Lima, Peru and Co-author of Philanthropy and Social Change in Latin America

MARIA CRUZ-SACO PhD is Professor of Economics at Connecticut College, USA. She has been a frequent consultant to the Inter American Development Bank and the US Agency for International Development regarding social security, pension, and insurance programs in Guatemala and Peru. 

SERGEI ZELENEV is Chief of the Social Integration Branch, Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, USA.