Intergenerational Dependence: A Socio-Psychological Approach to Johanna Spyri’s Old-Age Narrative Heidi.

The socio-psychological importance of grandparent-grandchild relationship has been studied and established in the field of social and psychological gerontology. Underpinning those findings, this study attempts to explore the meaning of in[ter]dependence in old age, specifically in the context of aged persons and children, from a humanistic gerontological perspective. In the process, Johanna Spyri’s Heidi, a popular piece of children’s literature, has been subjected to critical analysis. Apart from seconding the findings in the field of social and psychological gerontology, this study underscores the critical need for addressing the intergenerational gap in ensuring the emotional, educational, sociological, economic, and spiritual justice among both age groups. The study identifies several intergenerational exchanges that work as solutions for many problems that arise, due to susceptibility of their age, between aged persons and children. Further, the study concludes that the definition of independence in old age is grounded in the concept of interdependence, which can be called intergenerational dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]