Inter Generation Relationships in Taking Care of the Elderly in Karo, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to uncover family conflict stemming from caring for the elderly in the Karo ethnic group in North Sumatera resulting in the elderly not feeling comfortable and prefering to live alone or go to a nursing home. An ethnographical study was conducted in Lingga village, Karo to gather information on what Cliffort Geertz has proposed as the thick description of cultural values and the expectations of the elderly. Data was collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with the elderly with different characteristics. This study found that the elderly’s ideal conception of a place to live is related to various social and cultural aspects of their society, which are interrelated with the functions of affection, obedience and tolerance as family members in the community. This study finds that the elderly expect to have autonomy, but were in fact dependant on their children. This study also finds that research on the elderly should investigate sociocultural aspects of the elderly in order to minimalize conflict.