Intergenerational Interactions: Using Community Field Theory to Engage Across Generations
Open Access
- Author:
- Sweeney, Kate
- Area of Honors:
- Community, Environment, and Development
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Supervisor
Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Honors Advisor
Matthew Samuel Kaplan, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- community development
intergenerational
community field - Abstract:
- As the world's population is becoming increasingly older, how can we create thriving communities that incorporate the needs of all generations? Research on intergenerational topics lists the number of ways that engaging all ages can create beneficial outcomes for wellbeing. At the same time, community development literature suggest that community is enhanced by strengthening the ties between different social fields. Uniting these two areas, this research focuses primarily on the ways that intergenerational frameworks, practices, and programs can relate to community development. To conduct this research, a study was implemented to understand how an intergenerationally-focused event could foster further community development. The process included archival research and a series of semi-structured key informant interviews of exhibitors who participated in The Intergenerational Friends Fair that took place in June 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. From the 8 interviews conducted, it was found that collaborative events that took place following the Intergenerational Friends Fair reflected small-scale community engagement across social fields. Exhibitors from the fair discussed their understanding of intergenerational work and its potential to facilitate community building. Additionally, they noted how human and financial resources and collaborative activities could be used strategically to make similar intergenerational programs successful in the future.