Despite the Distance? Intergenerational Contact in Times of Migration

In times of modernisation, characterised by increasing social and geographical mobility within as well as between countries and regions along with globalisation and new technologies, it seems that families are able to face the challenge of greater living distances and time restrictions. The contribution addresses intergenerational contact frequencies with a special focus on the differences due to geographical and cultural distances and the influence of Internet use for maintaining family contacts. The analyses follow a multigenerational and international perspective based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Next to differences within the group of migrants, the empirical findings confirm generations in general are often in touch with each other and that large geographical distances can be bridged by modern communication technology.