Social Support and Social Networks among Elderly Mexicans: Updating the Discussions on Reciprocity

Sagrario Garay, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL)
Veronica Montes de Oca, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Jennifer Guillen, Texas A&M University

The aim of this article is to update the discussion and analysis on the exchanges between the elderly and their family members in Mexico. Therefore, we use the 2005 National Family Dynamics Survey in order to distinguish between supports granted and received among the elderly population. Results show that the elderly population is active in an intergenerational family network that receives and offers social support as a means of maintaining their quality of life. Among the conditioning elements of intergenerational solidarity, we find that as age increases, the elderly are less likely to grant support. Moreover, results show that women are more likely to receive social support; and, being married increases the likelihood of counting on a more extensive support network. We found that the elderly tend to provide support to others during difficult situations, but are less likely to receive support when facing similar circumstances.