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Getting There: Mapping the Gendered Geography of Caregiving to Elderly Relatives*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Bonnie C. Hallman  and
Alun E. Joseph
Bonnie C. Hallman
Affiliation:
California State University at Chico
Alun E. Joseph
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
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Abstract

This paper extends an earlier analysis of the geography of caregiving to elderly relatives (Joseph & Hallman, 1996), by closely examining the implications of time-distance between family caregivers and their older relatives. We hypothesize that overlaying a highly gendered social behaviour (eldercare) onto the distinctive time-space geographies of men and women will translate into demonstrably different “eldercare geographies”. Analysis of data from two interrelated CARNET surveys suggests that female and male caregivers provide assistance within very different time-space contexts. Women demonstrate greater engagement with caregiving and more extensive commitments to travel in order to provide assistance. This “distance-defying” behaviour translates into the use of residential relocation as a means of modifying time-space in order to improve caregiving provision. In contrast, male caregivers are more sensitive to the limiting effects of time-distance, including the manipulation of their eldercare geographies. The paper concludes with a discussion, based on comments made by caregivers, of the negative impacts of eldercare involvement, focussing on perceived effects on personal time for other family relationships.

Résumé

Cet article poursuit une analyse déjà effectuée sur les soins aux membres âgés de la famille (Joseph & Hallman, 1996), en examinant de plus près les incidences de temps et de distance entre ceux qui soignent et les personnes âgées qui reçoivent les soins. Nous posons l'hypothèse qu'une étude plus approfondie d'un comportement social fortement axé sur le sexe (soins aux personnes âgées) et d'un fonctionnement distinct sur le plan du temps et de l'espace fera ressortir des comportements éminemment différents entre les hommes et les femmes. L'analyse des données provenant de deux enquêtes connexes du Réseau canadien de recherche sur le vieillissement laisse entendre que les soignants, hommes ou femmes, fournissent une assistance dans des contextes d'espace-temps différents. Les femmes font preuve d'un engagement plus grand lorsqu'elles dispensent des soins et voyagent afin de fournir une assistance. Elles adoptent un comportement défiant la distance qui se traduit par le recours au déménagement pour modifier l'espace-temps et améliorer les soins. À l'opposé, les hommes qui dispensent des soins sont plus sensibles aux limites imposées par l'espace-temps et auront moins souvent recours au déplacement des aîné(e)s soigné(e)s. Cet article se termine par une discussion, inspirée de commentaires de soignants, et portant sur les effets négatifs de l'engagement auprès de personnes âgées, surtout sur les effets perçus du temps pour les autres relations familiales.

Keywords

Geography of CaregivingTime-DistanceGenderEldercareFamily Relationships.Géographie de la prestation des soinstemps et distancegenresoins aux personnes âgéesrelations familiales.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , Hiver/Winter 1999 , pp. 397 - 414
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1999

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