Who Are Today's Grandparents?
The Modern Generation Gap and its Contribution to Family Life
Grandparents have traditionally been seen as the wiser, older members of the clan, viewed with some element of the sacrosanct, untouchable, and sometimes feared.
The Expanding Generation Gap
However, today grandparents are likely to span any age range between the mid 40’s up to and beyond the late 70’s. Indeed, with people living longer and generally healthier lives, many of today’s modern children will also know their great grandparents.
Today’s grandparents are more than likely, therefore, to be still in employment, and so available time may be limited. However, they are most resourceful both emotionally and financially and more able to communicate through modern technology to keep in touch.
On the other hand, they can commit more "quality" time to their grandchildren than they may have had the opportunity to do with their own children. The importance of taking, listening and playing with children remains constant in the modern society.
Modern Views and Understanding
With an average age of 54 (UK), grandparents are more healthy and energetic and are not afraid to discuss modern things and dilemmas. They are also more likely to be up-to-date with the trends of the moment which affect young people. Seen as less severe, grandparents today have thrown off the stereotypical image of an elderly and frail relative. Many grandparents will act as confidante and companion rather than the authoritarian of the family.
Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
Grandparents remain central to most communities’ cultures. Although modern grandparents are less likely to be living within the extended family unit, they still maintain an important role for children. They are critical to preserving the family history and shaping the future for younger generations.
As the role of women change and many return to work or wait until they are older to start their families, many grandparents will provide childcare support. This support, often provided informally, can span the whole of the child’s life from babyhood through to the teenage years. The issue of trust and affection also plays an important role when grandparents are selected as "child minder".
The increasing rise in divorce and therefore the resultant combination of families within second marriages is a significant factor for today’s grandparents. They can find themselves providing this role for non-biological grandchildren, who may have up to four sets of "grandparents", all with different standards and principles for the child to benefit from.
Equally this factor can have a negative perspective, with some grandparents estranged from their natural families and grandchildren with very few legal rights.
However, not all grandparents are able or willing to act as informal childminders, particularly if they have ill or dependent relatives. However, they may well find it difficult to refuse what may be seen as an expectation.
Being a grandparent today can be an enriching and fulfilling part of modern life, filled with discovery and learning from both perspectives. It is an influential role and continues to support family life and its development.
References:
Grandparents Plus Organisation
The 21st Century Gran Survey, Yours Magazine, July 2004
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