Social and economic forces affecting intergenerational relations in extended families in a Third World country: a cautionary tale from South Asia

Abstract

This paper questions the implicit assumption derived from modernization theory that elderly persons in the Third World lead secure and satisfying lives because they still live in extended families. Data from elderly Hindus living in Kathmandu, Nepal, are presented and demonstrate that, although these elderly people do continue to live in extended families, social and economic changes have transformed the nature of intergenerational social relations within these families to the detriment of the elderly family members.