Understanding nuance and ambivalence in intergenerational relationships through fiction

French, J. E., Lovatt, M. and Wright, V. (2023) Understanding nuance and ambivalence in intergenerational relationships through fiction. Gerontologist, 63(10), pp. 1619-1627. (doi: 10.1093/geront/gnad051) (PMID:37104307) (PMCID:PMC10724047)

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The term “intergenerational relationships” is widely used in gerontological literature and age-related policies. However, discussions of the term often tell us surprisingly little about what it means or why it matters. We suggest that this is due to a reductivism and instrumentalism in 2 main discourses within which intergenerational relationships are usually discussed. First, intergenerational relationships are often conceptualized through a binary “conflict/solidarity” lens, reinforcing an entrenched “generationalism”. Second, they are predominantly constructed as a problem to be addressed within debates on how to tackle intergenerational segregation. Neither of these discourses provides much room for a more nuanced understanding of how intergenerational relationships are experienced or why they are meaningful. In this paper, we discuss how fictional narratives can introduce imagination and a richer vocabulary into discourses concerning how people of different ages relate to each other. Research Design and Methods: We present findings from reading groups where adults discussed novels depicting themes of older age, intergenerational relationships, and time. Results: In discussing the fictional narratives and characters, participants reflected on the significance and meaning of intergenerational relationships in ways that went beyond dichotomous and instrumentalist discourses. Drawing on the concept of lived ambivalence, we argue that fictional representations of intergenerational themes can elicit more meaningful reflections on the complexities and contradictions of relationships across age groups. Discussion and Implications: We conclude that a more nuanced understanding of intergenerational interaction can inform gerontological discourses and policy, but also that gerontological awareness of social challenges concerning age relations can inform interpretations of fictional narratives.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (grant ES/S011889/1).
• Keywords: novels, literature, reading groups, generationalism.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wright, Dr Valerie
• Authors: French, J. E., Lovatt, M., and Wright, V.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Journal Name: Gerontologist
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0016-9013
• ISSN (Online): 1758-5341
• Published Online: 27 April 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Gerontologist 63(10):1619-1627
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License