Intergenerational Integration Projects - A Study on Generational Solidarity

The assumption that there is an existing conflict between the old and young generation, has ensured that international and increasing national intergenerational initiatives, supporting the contact hypothesis that promotes a solidarity between the generations, are being discussed. The present paper analyzes by using an interview the attitudes of senior citizens (N = 92; M = 87.2 years) in nursing homes to intergenerational integration projects which are identified by the regulated, organized activities between the old and the young who on their side are not related to each other. The attitudes of the senior citizens as project participants, in terms of do-able activities, possible positive and negative results, frequency and length of time, and the interaction of mixed-age groups of children within intergenerational integration projects were the main interest points of the study. Furthermore individual-related characteristics of the senior citizens, who support and encourage the participation in such projects, were identified. The results show, that senior citizens have few benefits from intergenerational integration projects. Reasons for the minor positive classified effects and the minimal support of the intergenerational integration projects from the senior citizens were discussed in the present paper in combination with the concept of the development tasks at high age.