The age of life, the age of things

The watershed of the thirty-fifth year traditionally divided life into two halves: in the first half, it was often claimed, parents helped their children; in the second half these roles were reversed. Family solidarity has established criteria for looking after family members and transmitting goods between generations. With the advent of the Welfare State the family has been relieved of many duties The recent financial crisis has shown how these social services are now in decline, sparking the rediscovery of the values of familial solidarity and the safeguarding of future generations.