ABSTRACT
When we began this series of studies on intergenerational family obligations, we raised a number of questions that we wanted to answer. For example, Is there a consensus about the appropriate obligations, duties, and responsibilities between generations? What do people think are the obligations and responsibilities between kin when family membership changes as a result of divorce and remarriage? Are beliefs about intergenerational obligations unchanged when a family experiences disruptions, or are obligation beliefs contingent on family structure, family membership, or other contextual factors? What are the norms regarding parents’ responsibility for children following divorce? What do people think are the responsibilities of stepparents toward their stepchildren? What are societal norms about what should happen with the care of very old family members after divorce, remarriage or both? What kind of relationships (if any) are people expected to retain with former in-laws and former stepparents? What expectations are there for older individuals to assist children and grandchildren after divorce and remarriage?
