Intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children: a qualitative research among cohabiting and married children in Italy

AbstractThe objective of this article is to compare the patterns of intergenerational solidarity between adult children who cohabit or are married and their own parents or their partner's parents through the analysis of 50 in-depth interviews. The research did not reveal any different behavioural patterns between cohabiting and married couples. Financial support provided by own parents or partner's parents and the presence of small children constituted positive factors which intensified the frequency of contacts and improved the quality of the relationship. In the event of illness of a parent, both the married and cohabiting couples provided assistance, especially when the illness was not disabling and there were no other kin relatives. When this was not possible, a private caregiver was hired or close family members provided assistance. Only those respondents who cohabited with a partner awaiting divorce were less willing to maintain contacts with their partner's parents. The presence of a family formed by previously married partners and the old age of the parents of the latter compromised the quality of the relationship and the willingness to provide assistance.Keywords: intergenerational solidarityfamily exchangesmarriagecohabitationparent–child relations Notes on contributorMonica Santoro is assistant professor at the University of Milan. Her research interests include family and demographic changes, new family forms, intergenerational exchanges, parents–adult children relationship.