THE EFFECT OF INDUSTRIALIZATION ON INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY.

This paper sets forth a general hypothesis that relates instrumental activities of the family to unilineal emphasis in intergenerational ties and reviews the findings of a variety of studies which can be accounted for by this general hypothesis. The hypothesis states that, where there is succession in male instrumental roles, solidarity will be greater between the nuclear family and the lineal relatives of men, and where there is no succession, solidarity will be greater with the wife's family. Since industrialization does away with male succession in instrumental roles, the hypothesis explains the predominance of matrilateral ties between generations in industrial societies. Findings are reviewed from studies of intergenerational solidarity in pre-industrial and industrial societies. The data on intergenerational solidarity include household sharing, residential proximity, interaction and ties of sentiment, and exchanges of help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]