May Early Intergenerational Experiences Be the Seeds of a Generative Adulthood? A Comparison Between Childhood Narratives of Highly Generative and Less Generative Older Women

The study is aimed at exploring how a sample of Argentinian older women described their childhood, comparing women who showed high levels of generativity in adulthood and older age with women who showed low levels of generativity. Thirty-two volunteers over the age of 60 years (18 highly generative, 14 less generative), purposively selected according to their generative interests and activities, were interviewed and prompted to talk about their childhoods. Responses were audiotaped, transcribed, and submitted to thematic analysis. Results show how highly generative women described a generative atmosphere in their childhood. Four themes were unique to highly generative respondents, in contrast with less generative respondents: (a) a loving and protective context; (b) the assumption of responsibilities in a freedom framework; (c) the importance of playful interactions as a way of self-expansion; and (d) the inspirational role of significant others. Highly generative women described parents as combining steadfastness and affection and they are remembered as life examples who promoted successful development and the commitment to guide new generations. These themes rarely appeared in the low generativity group.