%0 Journal Article
%T Grandfathers For Rent ¨C If Aging Men Care
%A Luigi Wenzl
%J -
%D 2018
%X Men over 50 years of age who perform care work outside the biological family, e.g. in ¡°grandfathers for rent¡± programs, are rare, as are research projects dealing with this phenomenon. Recently, however, grandfathers for rent have attracted the attention of politics and media as a potential solution to overcome societal challenges, such as the care crisis, and the effects of demographic changes. What motivates aging men to become a grandfather for rent and how is the care practice experienced? With our study we strived to answer these and other questions, all the while retaining a focus on the social implications of this phenomenon. The theoretical framework for the study is found in the intersection of (hegemonic) masculinity, care and age which relies on grandfather studies, the debate on caring masculinities, on the care crisis, and the social-political concept of active aging. In keeping with the win-win credo of the discourse, senior citizens are thus encouraged to modify their lifestyle and activities in order to provide social benefits for others as well as for themselves, supposedly enriching their own aging process. The empirical study was conducted in a German federal state. In terms of the motivations of grandfathers for rent, it becomes apparent that they are aware of the current care crisis. A second motive, however, is a feeling of missed opportunities during their previous life course as career-focused breadwinners. Grandfatherhood for rent is perceived as a second chance of active participation in childcare. Although their care practice is similar to that of biological grandparenthood, the interviewees do not relinquish individual claims on their available time. Furthermore, and somewhat contrary to the promise of active aging, it becomes apparent that the care work is far from effortless ¨C and can make you both young and old at the same time. Patterns of traditional division of labor among gender groups are persistent within their care practice, as can be seen in grandfathers preferably taking on typically male care activities - often outdoor. Nevertheless, the care work provided by grandfathers for rent does help articulate emotionality and affection and therefore gives hints to reconciliation of masculinity and care
%K Kiral£¿k b¨¹y¨¹kbaba
%K aktif ya£¿lanma
%K bak£¿m krizi
%K hegemonik erkeklik
%K bak£¿c£¿ erkeklikler
%U http://dergipark.org.tr/mjic/issue/43463/530397