Introduction

This chapter examines the relative importance of the values that may change over time, especially in times of socioeconomic and cultural changes. Here, the question arises about what kind of value changes adolescents are experiencing, and how these changes are affecting adolescent development and also intergenerational relations in a society. Until after the Second World War, a typical traditional family consisted of three generations grandparents, parents and children with all three generations usually living together in one household. However, during the last decades ongoing socioeconomic, demographic and cultural changes have affected this family structure significantly. Changing economic and social resources, and related value orientations of the older and younger generation have also affected changes in intergenerational relations. Sociocultural changes imply questions about how parent child relationships will change, and how and on which basis family members, especially children and ageing parents, can expect to receive and provide care and support.