1991 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
An Empirical and Perceptual Study of Intergenerational Relationships in Okinawa with Focus on the Elderly
| Project/Area Number |
02451093
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
家政学
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| Research Institution | University of the Ryukyus |
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Principal Investigator |
NIIGAKI Toyoko Dept. of Education, the University of the Ryukyus, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (60044898)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
HANASIRO Rieko Dept. of Education, the University of the Ryukyus, Assistant Professor, 教育学部, 助教授 (80128496)
TAMAKI Takao Dept. of General Education, Okinawa kokusai University, professor, 教養部, 教授 (50110581)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1990 – 1991
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| Keywords | The Elderly of Okinawa / Socio-Cultural Features / Intergenerational Relationships / Generational Interaction / Consanguineous community / Countermeasure Against the Graying of the Population / Interaction / Value System |
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| Research Abstract |
This research aims to empirically verify the nature of inter-generational family relationships and transactions with emphasis on old age taking into consideration the features of Okinawan culture and society and the implications for the graying of the population in the 21st century. A survey was conducted on 2700 respondenls ranging from primary school students to elderly people in their 80's living in urban areas, rural areas, and in outlying islands. The survey was conducted over a period from October, 1990 to August, 1991 employing a method using questionnaires supplemented by interviewing. The research results are as follows :
1. Concerning the support of elderly parents, we discovered two major patterns which we termed "traditional obligatory" and "voluntary" . These two patterns accounted for 90.2% of the support in all generations. The first son was found to be the most important supporter of elderly parents. Interestingly, males of primary school and university age groups were f
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ound to think most favorably toward this traditional pattern. On the other hand, the care of elderly parents is most commonly entrusted to daughters, daughter-in-laws, and wives. 68, 2% of all respondents reported having some experience of caring for elderly relatives.
2. We discovered significant regional, generational, and sexual differences on the perceptual level concerning the inheritance of mortuary tablets. the vast majority favored the eldest son to inherit the mortuary tablets. In every generation, females are discouraged from inheriting mortuary tablets according to tradition. However, the percentage of females who find the inheritance of tablets by females acceptable increases in proportion to decreasing age. Moreover, 24.2% of females in the oldest generation have actually inherited the mortuary tablets of their ancestors.
3. The major areas of dissatisfaction among members of the oldest generation revealed by the survey were : health, loss of status and roles, increasing disrespect for elderly people, and the weakening of family・blood ties. 11.1% of elderly people were found to be satisfied in general with their lives, but members of the other generations often perceived the elderly people as unsatisfied.
4. Concerning anxiety toward old age, every generation revealed the most anxiety about healthy averaging 60.2%. The younger the age group, the greater was the level of anxiety. 10% of adult and elderly males in the survey listed loss of a spouse (wife) as a major cause of anxiety, which may be sharply contrasted with the responses of adult and elderly females.
5. In depopulated rural areas where the graying of the population is most advanced, care for elderly people by family members and relatives was found to be supplemented by neighbors and other community members. Serious problems concerning care for the elderly may be anticipated in these areas in the near future. Education for self-reliance needs to instituted from an early age and needs to be reinforced throughout life. In order to accomplish these objectives the establishment of an information network is urgently needed.
6. In urban areas in which traditional family and community ties have weakened, a new type of community needs to be designed which takes into account care for the elderly. This new community structure should contain health-care professionals, voluntary workers, and facilities for care of the elderly. Less
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Research Products
(2 results)
