Ageing Populations

Intergenerational coresidence in developing countries
Living with the in-laws still commonplace in developing countries Authors: S. Ruggles; M. Heggeness Publisher: Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, 2008

Is coresidence of elderly people with their children really on the decline in most developing countries, as much research suggests? This analysis uses new data and measures to assess changes in intergenerational coresidence in 15 developing countries.
Contrary to expectations, the authors find no general decline in intergenerational coresidence over the past several decades. There have been, however, significant changes in the configuration of intergenerational coresidence:
families in which the older generation is household head - a configuration consistent with traditional patriarchal forms in which the older generation retains authority - are becoming more common in most of the countries
intergenerational families headed by the younger generation - the configuration one would expect if intergenerational coresidence were motivated by a need for old-age support - are on the decline in most of the countries Why is elder-head intergenerational coresidence increasing in developing countries, and why is it strongly associated with economic growth? The authors highlight the following factors:
a housing shortage -even when elders can no longer provide the prospect of agricultural inheritance, they often can offer a place to live. In many developing countries, there appears to be a significant positive relationship between intergenerational coresidence and the proportion of the population living in an urban area
with rising female labour-force participation in many countries, the demand for services that can be provided by elders - such as grandchild care and housework - may be on the rise in some areas. Some developing countries have seen unstable or declining employment prospects for youth despite significant economic growth, and some have introduced pension programs for the aged; both of these factors may encourage the younger generation to remain in their parental homes after reaching adulthood
rising incomes - especially among the older generation - have allowed more people to achieve their preferred family structure. If the older generation lacks sufficient land to support the next generation, it may be impossible for the younger generation to stay in the household. The strong positive association between economic development and intergenerational coresidence therefore makes some sense: with rising incomes, more people may be able to achieve their preferred family formThis report's interpretation suggests that the ideal family form may not have changed greatly but that economic growth has increased the opportunities for intergenerational coresidence. This does not mean, however, that family values are indelible; there have been dramatic declines in coresidence in every Western country, and there is strong evidence of a similar change in the most developed countries of East Asia. The positive relationship found between coresidence and development may eventually reverse, as yet, however, there is little sign that this is happening.
http://www.pop.umn.edu/research/mpc-working-papers-series/2008-working-papers-pdfs/Working%20Paper%202008-01.pdf

Another Air Force Vet Steps Forward

By Tim Smith

A war veteran has flown to Bermuda from Texas as he builds his case for compensation amid allegations toxic waste was dumped at Kindley Air Force Base.
Andrew Moore, 64, believes his ill health has been brought on from his time as an air passenger specialist — whose job was to dump tons of human waste in a deep pit — at the US baselands in 1963-64.
Cancer victim Mr. Moore's concerns have grown since The Royal Gazette reported former serviceman Ronald Slater's claims that he knew of numerous barrels of lethal defoliant Agent Orange being dumped and burned in a Kindley pit from 1965 to 1967.
Other veterans have claimed substances such as mercury and hydrochloric acid were disposed of in the same manner.
Mr. Moore was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer five years ago; he has had surgery to remove a third of his stomach; and he has a history of lung problems including pneumonia. Like fellow cancer victim Mr. Slater, he is locked in a compensation battle with the US government.
During his trip to Bermuda, Mr. Moore has visited the former baselands, where he pointed to the spot he remembers dumping waste, which is now fenced off, and met Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary Robert Horton to discuss dealings between the States and Bermuda.
Recalling his days at Kindley, Mr. Moore told this newspaper he had to empty the "honey bucket" or toilet into a deep pit, and sometimes the waste would go over himself.
He said it was one of the worst jobs imaginable. He was aware the pit was used by other people dumping waste, and believes toxins were brought to the Island, but was not aware of any Agent Orange.
"I don't have the knowledge of what the results were after it was dumped, but I know that I did dump waste," said Mr. Moore.
"Some of the people I worked with dumped the same stuff as me, and it's possible other people dumped stuff in the pit as well."
Regarding Mr. Slater's claims, Mr. Moore said: "I think it's true. I'm in agreement as far as toxins being on the Island.
"One exception is that Slater said it was being burned. I remember stuff being thrown into the pit; as to what happened after that, I don't know.
"But I know this: I know we never filled it. If you keep dumping in it and it didn't fill it up, it's got to be going somewhere."
Mr. Moore also served in Texas during his four year military career. He says the only time he handled waste was when he was in Bermuda.
Following Mr. Slater's allegations last summer, then Works Minister Dennis Lister commissioned a report into the safety of the land at Kindley. Mr. Lister said on the report's completion: "Results do not suggest the presence of dioxin or Agent Orange to be a health risk."
However, months later, when Government finally released the report, the methods described to test the land raised questions from Mr. Slater. Mr. Moore has echoed his concern.
Although veterans say they poured waste into deep pits, the method used by A.L.S. Laboratory was to collect a sample from the top ten centimetres of the surface with a garden spade.
Mr. Slater and Mr. Moore say they would have needed to dig much deeper to carry out a proper test.