This research project explores intergenerational support dynamics through the lens of “waithood” — a prolonged period of dependency experienced by young adults during delayed transitions to adulthood. Employing a comparative framework for Pakistan’s youth-centric population and Germany’s ageing society, the study examines how distinct societal configurations regulate family support patterns. This research synthesises institutional analysis with lived experiences to decode how cultural frameworks and economic structures interact in moulding intergenerational dependencies. In-depth interviews and surveys with young adults and their parents in both countries provide the empirical foundation for understanding how family structures, cultural norms, and socioeconomic contexts shape support mechanisms and dependencies across generations. These data sources aim to illuminate the lived experiences and sociocultural narratives to uncover the shared tensions and adaptive strategies of families navigating the dual pressures of economic precarity and social change, particularly in periods marked by crisis and transition. The empirical focus centers on three key domains: the temporal organisation of dependency relations; the spatial distribution of care-giving responsibilities; and the moral economies governing reciprocal obligations. This project thus advances theoretical debates and contributes to our understanding of family dynamics by highlighting the mechanisms through which institutional contexts shape intergenerational dependencies and support. The findings will inform policy interventions through targeted briefs and establish a transnational research consortium linking scholars across geographical divides.
Assoc. Prof. Imran Sabir
Quaid-i-Azam University (Pakistan) | Sociology
E-mail: imran.sabir@college-uaruhr.de
Imran Sabir is Associate Professor at the School of Sociology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. With a PhD in sociology from the University of Paris-Saclay, France, and over 15 years of academic experience, his research focuses on intergenerational relationships, social inequalities, and the sociology of knowledge.
Imran Sabir’s work bridges theoretical rigour with empirical depth, examining complex social phenomena through comparative frameworks, particularly between the Global North and South. As an applied practitioner of sociological methods, he translates theoretical frameworks into actionable solutions, deploying empirical evidence to contemporary social problems. As a public sociologist, Imran Sabir frequently writes for national newspapers, bringing sociological perspectives to public discourse on issues such as education reforms, urban planning, and social inequalities. He has contributed extensively to academic journals and has led multidisciplinary projects, including studies on road safety, solid waste management, and youth violence. His ongoing collaborative project investigates intergenerational support dynamics in ageing and non-ageing societies, offering insights into family structures, socioeconomic dependencies, and cultural norms.
He is dedicated to the generation of impactful policy-relevant outcomes, and materialising meaningful academic exchanges for North-South cooperation. He envisions sociology as a dynamic, globally interconnected discipline, having a transformative role that connects scholarly inquiry with tangible societal advancements.
Website
©
© Aliona Kardash
TU Dortmund University | Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies
E-mail: martina.brandt@tu-dortmund.de
©
© Aliona Kardash
Prof. Martina Brandt
TU Dortmund University | Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies
E-mail: martina.brandt@tu-dortmund.de
Martina Brandt is Professor for Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies at TU Dortmund University, Vice Dean of Research at the Department of Social Sciences, spokesperson of the research training group ‘New challenges in ageing societies’ (Hans Böckler Foundation) and head of the Master's programme ‘Ageing Societies’ at TU Dortmund University. She holds the chairmanship of the Expert Commission on the Ninth Government Report on Older People, and she is involved in the central coordination of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) as Area Coordinator Family and Social Networks. She researches and teaches in the field of ageing in Europe and is interested in family, health and well-being in the life course, care and social support, social inequality and social policy as well as methods of empirical research on ageing.
Website
https://sag.sowi.tu-dortmund.de/en/professorship/team/prof-dr-martina-brandt/