Older adults and their children: Family patterns of structural diversity

In a qualitative study of 45 older adults, we found evidence of diversity a cross individual and family life histories. In-depth analysis of the cases looking across two generations revealed four patterns of diversity: convent ional/pluralistic, pluralistic/pluralistic. conventional/conventional, and pluralistic/conventional. The findings suggest the importance for family an d gerontological researchers and practitioners to understand the prevalence of structural family diversity that exists in the lives of older adults an d their descendants.