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Strengthening Relationships Many communities worldwide emphasize the impacts of close relationships on a person’s happiness and well-being. In Asia and South America specifically, living in a multigenerational household—with several generations under one roof—is believed to sustain familial development and contentment (Southeast Asia, 2020). In Southeast Asia, and especially in Thailand, almost 70% of the population lives in multigenerational households with three generations living under one roof in some cases
(Southeast Asia, 2020). Almost equally popular in South America, 1 in 4 households includes at least one older adult (The Reality, 2018). To reap the utmost benefits, Asian cultures carefully choose which child to live with—aside from just picking the favorite. In Vietnam for instance, parents consider a son’s home to be most beneficial, but in Thailand, parents prefer a daughter's home (Southeast Asia 2020). Sub-Saharan African households adopt a different dynamic, as grandparents raise nearly 8% of children. Considered the “youngest” continent due to 60% of the population being 25 and younger, grandparents assume the role of decision- maker and authority in most households (Young Africa, 2016). Regardless of how near a friend or family member is, seeing relationships as beneficial to overall well-being offers a kind reminder to connect with, and value, even the farthest away of family and friends.
...seeing relationships as beneficial to overall well-being
offers a kind reminder to connect with, and value, even the farthest away of family and friends.
If Not Now, Soon For Friends Club members eager to gather again or visit an exotic destination, in-person experiences can’t come soon enough. By looking outside the United States and relating to the similarities other continents express towards health and well-being, finding purpose, and maintaining relationships, the sense of isolation otherwise felt may start to dissipate. Best of all, when the next trip departs to one of these enticing continents, finding something in common with the locals won’t be an issue!
Sources: The Voice of Older Persons at EU Level-Eurostat 2019 Report. (2019). Age Platform Europe. https://www.age-platform.eu/publications/ageing-europe-looking-lives-older-people-eu-eurostat-2019-report Seniors Living in Asia I Retire in Asia. (2012, December 19). Retire in Asia. http://www.retireinasia.com/seniors-living-in-asia/ The ASEAN Post Team. (2020, February 16). Southeast Asia’s Rapidly Ageing Population. The Asean Post. https://theaseanpost.com/article/southeast-asias-rapidly-ageing-population Brown, R. L. (2016, December 19). In Dramatically Young Africa, Elderly are a Valuable Resource. The Christian Science Monitor. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2016/1229/In-dramatically-young-Africa-elderly-are-a-valuable-resource New Census Report on Aging Trends in Africa. (2020, September 10). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/new-census-report-aging-trends-africa A.I.H.W. (2018, September 10). Older Australia at a Glance. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australia-at-a-glance/contents/social-economic-engagement/civic-social-participation Otey, D. P. (2018, March 31). The Reality of the Elderly in Latin America. LatinAmerican Post. https://latinamericanpost.com/20267-the-reality-of-the-elderly-in-latin-america
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1st Quarter 2021
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