Le rôle de la famillle et de la société dans les solidarités intergénérationnelles: comparaison des opinions en France, Géorgie, Lituanie et Russie

Abstract

Drawing on questions about values in the Generations and Gender Surveys, this comparative study focuses on differences between French, Georgian, Lithuanian and Russian opinions about solidarity between generations. Two dimensions are analyzed: the relative involvement of both family and society in providing support to young and old, and the nature and forms of family solidarity. Should this solidarity be monetary or in kind? How is intergenerational family support perceived? How does it change lives and lifestyles? Is it a legitimate grounds for modifying men's or women's place of residence or career? Methodological issues are raised about how to interpret the opinions detected through quantitative surveys and how relevant is comparativism in social sciences. Intergenerational solidarity is studied as an indicator of the different family structures, cultures and economic contexts in these four countries.