Technology and Mass Media - Essay Example

Components of Intimate Ties The family life in a person’s later years is a product of an evolution that has been an agent of change in their social life. As aging comes, different needs have to be addressed and several things have to be adjusted, such as the marriage of the children, death of the spouse, and frail health. These turning points of the people’s lives concern the components of intimate relationships, which are: commitment, deep feelings and expressions of caring and compassion, thinking about another and sharing values and goals, physical intimacy ranging from close proximity to sexuality and interdependence (Connids, 2009, p. 53). The five components of intimate relational ties basically guide the person to adjust to the subsequent changes brought about by old age.

The stronger relational factor to define success of family ties in the later life might be commitment. In the absence of all the good things brought by youth, the feeling of accountability for another person is one of the few things that make the bond of the ties stay as it is. Commitment is especially important because without it, it would be somehow impossible to exhibit deep feelings and expressions of caring and compassion. On the other hand, the other components play their roles individually but serve with the same purpose; to strengthen family ties even in the later life.

For example, the preference of close proximity of the elderly to their children and grandchildren poses willingness to perform duties despite their old age, such as baby sitting. Reference Connids, I.A. (2009). Family ties and aging. CA: Fine Forge Press.