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A critical, multilevel conceptual framework provides alternative ways of addressing the question, Who counts as family later in life? The conceptual approach incorporates core ideas from life course, critical, and feminist perspectives, as well as the concept of ambivalence. Three meanings of the word count are used to address who should be included as family, which family ties are personally meaningful in the second half of life, and which family ties are significant sources of support. The article closes by exploring how to make research count: What are the policy and research implications of variations in who should be counted as family, who counts subjectively, and who can be counted on in mid‐ and later life? The macro–meso–micro framework connects societal and institutional arrangements to individuals and their family ties, emphasizing the need to balance individual and collective responsibility in order to support family relations across the life course.

The 2002 exchange on ambivalence in the Journal of Marriage and Family (Vol. 64, No. 3), published under the editorship of Alexis Walker, prompted an impressive array of research on family ties, in particular intergenerational relationships. Following a discussion of the concept's theoretical underpinnings, the author argues that advancing the concept of ambivalence rests on realizing its multilevel potential by addressing the interplay of shifting contradictions experienced by individuals and in relationships and embedded in social institutions and in macro‐level arrangements and processes. She considers progress and limitations in a critical review of predominant applications of ambivalence and then investigates research that advances ambivalence as a bridging concept across multiple levels of analysis. Work on atypical family ties, dependency, contradictory cultural expectations due to migration and social change, families and the welfare state, and on climate change and disability promotes the multilevel potential of ambivalence and points to ways to advance its promise in theory and practice.

Cet article présente des données des recensements canadiens et de l'Enquête sociale générale de Statistique Canada sur la taille des familles, l'évolution des statuts matrimoniaux et la participation à la main-d'œuvre au Canada de 1961 à 1991. Parmi les principales tendances, on note une diminution de la proportion de familles de 0, 1 ou 5 enfants et plus ; la plupart des familles continuent d'avoir 2 ou 3 enfants, fait souvent occulté par le déclin du taux de natalité, qui se situe actuellement à 1,7. Par ailleurs, la proportion de divorcés progresse, mais reste relativement faible, tout comme la proportion de célibataires, tandis que la part des gens mariés a augmenté et celle des veufs diminué, grâce à l'amélioration de l'espérance de vie. On constate aussi que la plupart des Canadiens adultes ont des frères et des sœurs, source de soutien que l'on est porté à oublier si l'on ne tient compte que de la famille nucléaire. Enfin, les taux d'activité féminins ont grimpé radicalement mais plafonnent aux âges supérieurs. Chez les hommes, la présence des 55-64 ans dans la main-d'œuvre diminue, en raison du phénomène de la retraite anticipée, volontaire ou forcée. L'auteur dégage les éléments de stabilité et de changement qui ressortent de ces tendances et leurs conséquences futures.

NEW TO THIS EDITION: Key themes and theoretical orientation have been expanded to reflect developments in the field including the concept of ambivalence and increased attention to how what happens inside families relates to what happens outside them. Each chapter begins with questions to consider to guide readers' their learning as they pay attention to the critical issues. New discussion of current issues on research and policy. Chapters have been reorganized for emphasis and to bring clarity to the flow of ideas. The long-term intimate ties of middle-aged and older persons - spouse or partner, gay or straight - are explored in Chapters 3 and 4. The chapter on transitions in intimate relationships is now two chapters: Chapter 5 on transitions in intimate ties and Chapter 7 on new opportunities for intimacy in later life. Other intimate relationships and opportunities, including cohabitation, LAT (living apart together) and dating are discussed in Chapter 7. The growing complexity of family ties over the life course and the changing realities of what it is to be single or childless are examined. Discussion of the family lives of gay and lesbian middle-aged and older persons throughout in order to be deliberately inclusive regarding all aspects of family life rather than isolating the family ties of gay and lesbian persons in a separate chapter. Updated discussion of a range of research and policy issues as they relate to understanding and supporting complex and diverse family ties in the later stages of life. KEY FEATURES: Weaves the vast range of information about the many facets of family relationships and aging into a critical, comprehensive, and integrated whole. Explores a range of intimate relationships, what happens when they end, and pathways to intimacy in old age. Emphasizes diversity in terms of gender, age, class, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation throughout to help readers learn about similarities and differences in family relationships as we age. Links the discussion of various family relationships in mid- and later life to current and future directions for research, practice, and policy. Chapters and sections end with a summary and conclusion, and quotes from various sources are used throughout to bring concepts to life.