Intergenerational Relations

Intergenerational Relations

Focus on intergenerational relations is central to a life course approach. This includes a focus on relations between generations, such as children and older people, impact of generational development across the life course and a focus on commonalities and differences across cultures regarding inter-generational relations. An intergenerational approach also illuminates how childhood impacts on adult life (such as impact of childhood abuse) and how children can often have to take on ‘adult roles’ of caring for parents or grandparents. It also intersections with critical perspectives on disability and neurodiversity, agism, disablism and adultism. Overall, our work is focused on how intergenerational relations can be strengthened to improve support, health and wellbeing- e.g. focus on children and older people, grandparenting and family support, inter-generational solidarity, etc. An inter-generational approach implies collaboration across multiple sectors and interconnects with the themes of life events and transitions, human development, health and wellbeing, institutional and societal contexts and influences on early life throughout the life course.

Illustrative projects demonstrating Intergenerational Relations include:

• GenCare: This project explores the experiences of care and support among disabled people in Ireland and aims to inform more inclusive law and policy