Abstract:

Drawing on ethnographic research in an urban area in upstate N.Y., the aging experience & the changing meaning & nature of the extended family network for Christian Lebanese Americans are explored. Two case study models are used to examine the values & attitudes of each generation with regard to respect & care for elders & how such values are acted on. The first model represents the "ideal" pattern within Lebanese-American tradition, reflecting aging members who remain part of a strong extended family network. The second case portrays an aged individual whose needs & expectations are not being met by the family unit. It is suggested that the data should be considered in terms of the service delivery & policy formation for aging members of U.S. society, & that particular services to meet the needs of these families (eg, counseling, outreach, training, & education) should support the extended family network.