ABSTRACT
Families are among the oldest institutions of mankind. It is in the family context where two or more generations meet. The family is the only social institution that remains important over the entire life course, “from the cradle to the grave.” Nearly every individual is born into a family. There, he or she grows up and remains embedded in family relations throughout his or her lifetime. In between are a multitude of relationships with various family members, time spent together and shared experiences, exchange of resources and mutual solidarity. According to commonly agreed-upon norms and values, families are both first and last resorts for socializing individuals and caring for them in times of need. The life experiences of any age group are closely linked to their families. Thus, examining the family ties of older individuals will result in a better understanding of what it means to be an old person (Connidis, 2001).
