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The Value of Grandchildren: Changing Relations Between Generations in Botswana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Benedicte Ingstad
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Abstract

This article is concerned with the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren in changing Tswana society. It argues that, in order to understand this relationship and how this has been changing, we have to look at different sets of relationships separately. The relationships between grandfathers/grandmothers and grandsons/granddaughters have quite different qualities depending upon whether their sons/daughters are married or unmarried. Moreover, these qualities are influenced in different ways by changes taking place in society. The data are analysed using Charles Taylor's concept of moral space and discussed in terms of ideals of respect, meaning and dignity.

Résumé

Cet article traite de la relation entre grands-parents et petits-enfants dans la société tswana en mutation. Il affirme qu'il faut, pour comprendre cette relation et son évolution, étudier séparément différents groupes de relations. Les relations entre grands-pères/grands-mères et petits-fils/petites-filles ont des qualités très différentes selon que les fils/filles sont mariés ou non-mariés. De plus, ces qualités sont influencées de différentes manières par les changements qui s'opèrent dans la société. Les données sont analysées d'après le concept d'espace moral de Charles Taylor et débattues en termes d'idéaux de respect, de sens et de dignité.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 74 , Issue 1: Grandparents and Grandchildren , February 2003 , pp. 62 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2004

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References

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