Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Intergenerational Perspectives on Ageing in Australia ‘Companions on a Journey - they did it for you, you do it for them’ Exploring intergenerational experiences of ageing in Australia from the perspectives of older people and a person they identify as a significant person in their life from a younger generation. By: Francis Duffy A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Sydney School of Education and Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Sydney University, 2018 i Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office of Doctoral Studies _________________________________________________________ AUTHOR’S DECLARATION This is to certify that: I. This thesis comprises only my original work towards the Doctor of Philosophy Degree II. Due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all other material used III. The thesis does not exceed the word length for this degree. IV. No part of this work has been used for the award of another degree. V. This thesis meets the University of Sydney’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) requirements for the conduct of research. Signature: Francis Duffy Name: Francis Duffy Date: April 2018 ii Abstract The broad research question that this thesis aims to address is: what are the intergenerational lived experiences of ageing in Australia and how do intergenerational relations impact this experience? In particular, the thesis set out to explore older and younger peoples’ perceptions and experiences of ageing and consider this in light of dominant discourses on ageing. The thesis explores intergenerational interactions and expectations of each other in relation to ageing and arrangements, or plans to deal with ageing. For many people ageing is a shared intergenerational journey, yet this is an underexplored area of research in Australia and is why the focus of this study is important. The study involves in-depth narrative interviews with 13 participants over the age of 70, along with 13 significant people each selected from a younger generation. This qualitative study explores how ageing is socially constructed, understood, experienced, planned and negotiated, between older and younger generations. It explores lived experiences of ageing and intergenerational relations, whilst taking into account institutional narratives, which for the most part paint ageing as a problem and claims that there are significant inequities and division between older and younger generations. This thesis has been theoretically and methodologically framed to allow participants considerable scope to discuss what was important to them. The study was underpinned by social constructionism, postmodernism, narrative inquiry, Foucauldian ideas and critical social work. Societal dominant negative discourses about ageing and intergenerational relations are not supported by the findings in this thesis. Instead of divisions and inequities between generations, this study has revealed high levels of intergenerational commitment, loyalty, reciprocity and concern for each other. Ageing is very much a shared intergenerational journey. When it comes to planning for ageing, there is no one size that fits all. In some cases making formal or informal plans is useful, whilst in other cases it can increase risk or result in family conflict. Making specific plans for healthcare appears much more complex and unpredictable than what is promoted and advertised in popular planning tools. Intergenerational relations are central to how older people think about making plans. Older participants are particularly concerned that governments have not initiated more creative options in relation to care and accommodation and have instead turned to expensive market solutions. iii Later life for many participants is a time of much opportunity; a time to pursue lifelong interests and ongoing learning, and a time of being busy and productive well into later years. Participants experienced great respect within their families, close networks, local communities and with their GPs, and were much more likely to encounter ageism in the context of institutions, such as in government and media discourses about ageing and when interacting with healthcare institutions and residential aged care facilities. As such, social workers and other professionals have much serious work to do to combat institutional ageism and to promote the desires and rights of older people. iv Acknowledgements I would like to extend my gratitude to the participants who so generously gave of their time and intellect to make this study possible. They have made valuable contributions to understandings of ageing and intergenerational relations. My PhD would not have become a reality without the meticulous attention and warm support of my supervisors Dr. Joanne Clarke and Professor Fran Waugh. It was a pleasure to share this challenging journey with you and your light-heartedness greatly eased the pain on the uphill slopes. To my colleagues and friends in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, thank you all for your support and encouragement and especially to A/Prof. Ruth Phillips who encouraged me from very early days. I was most fortunate to be awarded an APA scholarship and this made my PhD achievable and was most appreciated. My sincere thanks go to Ruth McHugh for copy editing, proofreading, and assisting with formatting my thesis. Few things matter more than family friends. To my three sons, Joshua, Daniel and Thomas, you are the joys of my life and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support and getting me to the end of my PhD. Thanks also to you Sarah. Words cannot express my deepest thanks to my friends John and Liz who have walked with me through my PhD and so much of my life’s journey, thank you for being with me through thick and thin and for being such wonderful friends. To my dear friend Terry who got severe dementia during my PhD, you have been a wise confidant in my life, right from the beginning of my undergraduate studies. You had such a deep passion for education and I am sad you did not get to see my completed thesis. Thank you also Libby for always being there. Thanks to Aleksandr at Sydney University for your IT tips and always promptly sorting out any problems. To John, Sharm and Daniel, the members of our bluegrass old-timey band, ‘The Plough’, thank you. Playing gigs provided so much fun over the course of my PhD and I now look forward to having more time for music. Thank you also John for your very helpful thesis writing insights along the way. Thank you to my mum and the ways of the world you have shown me and to my dad and brother Martin who are no longer with us, I have always felt your love and support across the v miles and other worlds. To my brothers and sisters and in-laws, your support has been second to none and it has meant the world to me. Sláinte Mhath. vi Abbreviations AASW – Australian Association of Social Workers ABC – Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABS – Australian Bureau of Statics AHRC – Australian Human Rights Commission ALRC – Australian Law Reform Commission AIFS – Australian Institute of Family Studies AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare CALD - Culturally and linguistically diverse COTA – Council of the Aged NFR – Not for resuscitation NSW – New South Wales RACF – Residential aged care facility UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. v Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... xiii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................ 1 Motivation to Undertake this Study ................................................................................. 2 My Research Standpoint: Critical Social Work ............................................................... 3 Putting this Study into Context ........................................................................................ 5 Social Constructions of Ageing in Contemporary Society .............................................. 7 Ageing Theories ............................................................................................................... 9 Policy Context in Australia ............................................................................................ 10 Introduction to the Research Process ............................................................................. 12 Outline of Thesis ............................................................................................................ 12 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................