Gender difference in bereavement support for older widowed people

Bibliographic Data

ID20159473
AuthorsKate Mary Bennett, Kate Bennett (0000-0003-3164-6894, University of Liverpool, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume28
Issue3
Pages5-9
Publication date2009-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBereavement Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-2621 • E-ISSN: 1944-8279
PublisherCruse Bereavement Care (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02682620903355317
OpenAlexW2031322988
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited8

Emotional and practical support at and around the time of a spouse's death is seen as important in helping older bereaved people come to terms with their loss. This article examines gender differences in the support offered to older widowed people. A total of 46 widows and 46 widowers were interviewed about their marriages, their lives immediately following the death of their partners, and their lives now. Contrary to findings in previous research, but in line with the beliefs of the women interviewees, the men received more formal support than the women. The article ends with a discussion of the possible explanations, and some recommendations for further research. Keywords: Later lifewidowhoodgendersocial supportformal support Additional informationNotes on contributorsKate Mary Bennett Editor's note: Whether or not men are incapable of looking after themselves after their wives die, it is sufficient that both men and women commonly believe this to be so. 'He couldn't boil an egg' may simply mean that he has never had to try. In this article, Kate Bennett documents the perceived domestic helplessness of men, which may contribute to the well-documented finding that they are more likely than women to remarry. (CMP)

Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Gerontology

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