A new book examined changes in economic and social roles in older life, focusing on those 'caught in the middle' - people juggling paid work and caring responsibilities, while still supporting their own children. It investigated the relationship between such roles and a range of indicators of quality of life, including economic resources, health, and social activities.
Source: Maria Evandrou and Karen Glaser, Family, Work and Quality of Life for Older People, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Apr
The first results were published of a study - 'Growing Up in Scotland' - which tracked families' experiences, including attitudes towards children's services, pregnancy and birth, childcare, parenting, health, and education. Around a fifth of the sample lived in a lone-parent household. Most children had regular contact with grandparents, and 4 per cent had five or more grandparents - showing the growing significance of stepfamilies.
Source: Simon Anderson et al., Growing Up In Scotland: A study following the lives of Scotland's children, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Summary | Childcare findings | Pregnancy/early parenting findings | Support findings | SE press release
Date: 2007-Jan