Skip to main content
Log in

The New Version of the Relationship Grandparents-Grandchildren as an Opportunity of Unprecedented Bonds

  • Published:
Journal of Population Ageing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper seeks to review some of the changes in the grandparent-grandchildren relationship and the new roles that "grandparents" are taking on in the face of these transformations. The literature review suggests that this new grandparenthood seeks new ways of living with their grandchildren, exploring new qualities of life. There is a symmetrization effect and a similar or equal starting point in the exploration of life. Grandchildren explore how to become adults, grandparents explore how to leave behind the decrepit model of old people with which they no longer feel identified or comforted. Both are looking for something on the order of renewal and change and in that sense there is an alliance of growth and change together. The most relevant results indicate that these new roles of older adults are essentially important for understanding the new type of intergenerational mutual protection and how they correlate with the demographic trends emerging in Latin America.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, B. N. (1999). Cross-cultural and U.S. kinship. In M. B. Sussman, S. K. Steinmetz, & G. W. Peterson (Eds.), Handbook of Marriage and the Family. (pp. 77–92) Plenum Press.

  • Badenes, N., & López, M. T. (2011). Dual dependency: Grandparents caring for grandchildren in Spain. Revista De Servicios Sociales, 49, 107–125. https://doi.org/10.5569/1134-7147.49.09

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldock, E. (2007). Grandparents raising grandchildren because of alcohol and other drug issues. Family Matters, 76(3), 70–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L. (2001). Beyond the nuclear family: The increasing importance of multigenerational relationships en American society”. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 63, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00001.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L., & Roberts, E. (1991). Intergenerational Solidarity in Aging Families: An Example of Formal Theory Construction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53(4), 856–870. https://doi.org/10.2307/352993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bert, B., Fruhauf, Ch., & Dolbin-MacNab, M. (2019). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: What Have We Learned Over the Past Decade? The Gerontologist, 57(6), 152–163. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Block, C. E. (2000). Dyadic and gender differences in perceptions of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 51(2), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.2190/VKCU-GN6A-27MU-4867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordone, V., Arpino, B., & Aassve, A. (2017). Patterns of grandparental child care across Europe: The role of the policy context and working mothers’ need. Ageing & Society, 37(4), 845–873. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1600009X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brintnall-Peterson, M., Poehlmann, J., Morgan, K., & Shlafer, R. (2009). A Web-Based Fact Sheet Series for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and the Professionals Who Serve Them. The Gerontologist, 49(2), 276–282. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess Dowdell, E. (2004). Grandmother caregivers and caregiver burden. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursering, 29(5), 299–304. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005721-200409000-00007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnette, D. (1999). Social Relationships of Latino Grandparent Caregivers: A Role Theory Perspective. The Gerontologist, 39(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/39.1.49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castañeda, P. J., Sánchez Bruno, J. A., Blanc, S., & Sánchez, D. (2004). Cómo perciben los nietos adultos las relaciones con sus abuelos. Anuario De Psicología, 35(1), 107–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castañeda, P. J., Valle-Sanz, C., & Gutiérrez-Barroso, J. (2017). From Grandparenthood to Great-grandparenthood. Exploring a family role. Anuario de Psicología, 47(3), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anpsic.2018.01.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CELADE/CEPAL (2009). Ageing & older persons. Socio-demographic indicators for Latin America & the Caribbean. Santiago de Chile: UN.

  • CELADE (Centro Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Demografía) (2013). El futuro del envejecimiento en Costa Rica. Retrieved March 20, 2019 from: https://www.cepal.org/celade/noticias/documentosdetrabajo/7/51987/Folleto_Costa_Rica.pdf.

  • CELADE (Centro Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Demografía) (2018). Proyecto de primer informe regional sobre la implementación del Consenso de Montevideo sobre Población y Desarrollo. Retrieved March 20, 2019 from: https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/43708/1/S1800378_es.pdf

  • U.S. Census Bureau. Grandparents living with own Grandchildren under 18 years and responsibility for own grandchildren. 2001. Retrieved July 10, 2020 from: https://censusreporter.org/tables/B10050/

  • CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe) (1994). Familia y Futuro. Un programa regional en América Latina y el Caribe”. In Libros de la CEPAL, Nº 37 (LC/G.1835-P), CEPAL.

  • CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe) (1999). Boletín Demográfico No63. América Latina: Proyecciones de población. CEPAL.

  • CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe) (2000). Los adultos mayores en América Latina. Datos e Indicadores. CEPAL.

  • CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe) (2004). Informe de la Conferencia Regional Intergubernamental sobre Envejecimiento: hacia una estrategia regional de implementación para América Latina y el Caribe del Plan de Acción Internacional de Madrid sobre el Envejecimiento. LC/L.2079/E. CEPAL.

  • Chapman, A., Ganong, L., Coleman, C., Kang, Y., Sanner, C., & Russell, L. (2017). Negotiating a place in the family. A grounded theory exploration of stepgrandmothers’ enactment of roles. The Gerontologist, 57(6), 1148–1157. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J. (1988). Social capital and the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Congreso Nacional de Chile (2016). El futuro demográfico de América Latina. Retrieved March 24, 2019 from: https://www.bcn.cl/observatorio/americas/noticias/el-futuro-demografico-de-america-latina.

  • Cosío Zavala, M. E. (1996).The demographic transition en America Latina and Europe. In J. M. Guzmán, et al (Ed.), The Fertility Transition en Latin America (pp. 180–193). Clarendon Press.

  • Cox, C. (2000). To grandmother's house we go and stay: perspectives on custodial grandparent. Springer.

  • Dubas, J. S. (2001). How gender moderates the grandparent- grandchild relationship. A comparison of Kin-Keeper and Kin-Selector theories. Journal of Family Issues, 22(4), 478–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251301022004005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrle, G. M., & Day, H. D. (1994). Adjustment and family functioning of grandmothers rearing their grandchildren. Contemporary Family Therapy, 16(1), 67–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, A. R. (1988). Grandchildren’s perspectives on relationships with grandparents: The influence of gender across generations. Sex Roles, 19, 205–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellingson, L., & Sotirin, P. (2006). Exploring young adults’ perspectives on communication with aunts. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23(3), 483–501. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407506064217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fehr, B., & Perlman, D. (1985). The family as a social network and support system. In L. L’Abate (Ed.), The handbook of family psychology and therapy (pp. 323–356). The Dorsey Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feres-Carneiro, T. (Eds) (2005). Família e Casal. Efeitos da Contemporaneidade. Editora Puc-Rio.

  • Fisher, L. (1983). Transition to grand motherhood. International Journal of Ageing and Human Development, 16(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.2190/GU3R-506F-2UMW-6L8R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, M. (2001). Grandparent parents: Intergenerational surrogate parenting. Journal of Holistic Nursering, 19(3), 297–307. https://doi.org/10.1177/089801010101900309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, A. L., Riggs, N., Yancura, L., & Fruhauf, C. (2020). Grandparent resilience: Improving self-efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren. Innovation in Aging, 4(1), 510. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furstenberg, F. (1990). Divorce and the American family. Annual Review of Sociology, 16, 379–403. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.so.16.080190.002115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furstenberg, F., & Hughes, M. E. (1995). Social capital and successful development among at risk youth. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 580–592. https://doi.org/10.2307/353914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganong, L. H. & Coleman, M. (2004). Stepfamily relationships: Development, dynamics and interventions. Plenum Publishers.

  • García, Brígida & Rojas, O. (2001) Las uniones conyugales en América Latina: transformaciones en un marco de desigualdad social y de género. Retrieved January 5, 2020 from: http://www.cepal.eds/publicaciones/xml/9/22069/lcg2229-p3.pdf

  • Glaser, K., & Hank, K. (2018). Grandparenthood in Europe. European Journal of Ageing, 15(3), 221–223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-018-0476-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg-Glen, R., Sands, R., & Cristofalo, C. (1998). Multigenerational patterns and external structures in families in which grandparents raise grandchildren. Families in Society, 79(5), 477–489. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González, J., & De la Fuentes, R. (2008). Intergenerational grandparent/grandchild relations: The socioeducational role of grandparents. Educational Gerontology, 34, 67–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601270701763993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, M., & Rao, S. (2007). Grandparents raising grandchildren in US-Mexico border community. Qualitative Health Research, 17(8), 1117–1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732307308457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, Ch., & Silverstein, M. (2006). Grandmothers raising grandchildren, ethnic and racial differences en well-being among custodial and coparenting families. Journal of Family Issues, 27(11), 1605–1626. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X06291435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodsell, T. L., Bates, J., & Behnke, A. (2011). Fatherhood stories: Grandparents, grandchildren and gender differences. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 28, 134–154. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407510386447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, S. (2003). Changing Families as European Societies. European Journal of Sociology, 44(2), 155–184. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003975603001231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayslip, B., Fruhauf, C. A., & Dolbin-MacNab, M. L. (2019). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: What HaveWe Learned over the Past Decade? The Gerontologist, 59, e152–e163. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayslip, B., Montoro-Rodriguez, J., Ramsey, J., & Jooste, J. L. (2021). Process-Outcome Relationships and Solution-Based Goal-Setting Interventions with Grandparent Caregivers. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211050878

  • Hoff, A. (2007). Functional Solidarity between Grandparents and Grandchildren in Germany. Working Paper 307, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

  • Jongenelis, M. I., Talati, Z., Morley, B., & Pratt, I. S. (2019). The role of grandparents as providers of food to their grandchildren. Appetite, 134, 78–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.12.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelch-Oliver, K. (2008). African American grandparent and caregivers: Stresses and implication for counselors. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 16(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480707308925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, S. (1993). Caregiver Stress en Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Journal of Nursering Scholarship, 25(4), 331–337. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1993.tb00268.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kivett, V. R. (1991). Centrality of the Grandfather Role among Rural Black and White Men. Journal of Gerontology, 46(5), 250–258. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/46.5.s250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, A. (2009). Nuevas formas de relacionamiento abuelos-nieto adolescentes desde los cambios demográficos-sociales actuales. Psicología Revista., 18(1), 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, A. (2014). La compleja relación abuelos -nietos adolescentes: Un panorama desde lo generacional y su relación con las nuevas tendencias familiares-demográficas. Revista Katharsis, 18, 27–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, A. (2006). Adolescentes sin adolescencia: Reflexiones en torno a la construcción de subjetividad adolescente bajo el contexto neoliberal. Psicolibro-Universitario.

  • Klein, A. (2013). Subjetividad, Familias y Lazo social. Procesos psicosociales emergentes. Ediciones Manantial.

  • Klein, A. (2015). Del anciano al adulto mayor: Procesos psicosociales, de salud mental, familiares and generacionales. Plaza y Valdez Editores.

  • Leeson, G. (2013). The demographics of population ageing in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula, 1950–2050 (pp. 53–74). In Montes de Oca, V. (Ed.), La agenda del Envejecimiento y las Políticas Públicas Hoy. Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales.

  • Lesthaeghe, D. (1986). Twee demografische transities? (Two demographic transitions?) In Lesthaeghe & Van de Kaa (Eds.), Bevolking Groei en Krimp (pp. 9–24). Mens en Maatschappij, Van Loghum Slaterus, Deventer.

  • Lever, K., & Wilson, J. (2005). Encore parenting: When grandparents fill the role of primary caregiver. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 13(2), 167–171. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480704273093

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, I., & Trost, J. (1992). Understanding the concept of family. Family Relations, 41(3), 348–351. https://doi.org/10.2307/585202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza, A. N., Fruhauf, C. A., & MacPhee, D. (2020). Grandparent Caregivers’ Resilience: Stress, Support, and Coping Predict Life Satisfaction. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 91, 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415019843459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M. (1999). Intergenerational homes headed by grandparents: Contexts, realities, and implications for policy. Journal of Aging Studies, 13(2), 199–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(99)80051-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2005). African American grandparents raising grandchildren: A national study using the Census 2000 American Community Survey. Journal of Gerontology, 60(2), 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/60.2.s82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., Miller, D., & Driver, D. (1997). Depression in grandparents raising grandchildren. Archives of Family Medicine, 6(5), 445–452. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfami.6.5.445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moorman, S., & Stokes, J. (2014). Solidarity in the Grandparent-Adult Grandchild Relationship and Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms. The Gerontologist, 56(3), 408–420. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moragas, R. (1997). Gerontologia Social: envelhecimento e qualidade de vida. Paulinas.

  • Motta-Maués, M. A. (2004). Na “casa da mãe”/na “casa do pai”: Anotações (de uma antropóloga e avó) em torno da “circulação” de crianças. Revista De Antropologia, 47(2), 427–452. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-77012004000200003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Musil, C. (1998). Health, stress, coping and social support en grandmothers caregivers. Health Care for Women International, 19(5), 441–455. https://doi.org/10.1080/073993398246205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Negreiros, T. C., & Feres-Carneiro, T. (2004). Masculino e feminino na família contemporânea. Estudos e Pesquisa Em Psicologia, 4(1), 34–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten, B., & Weinstein, K. (1964). The changing American grandparents. Journal of Marriage and Family, 26(2), 199–204. https://doi.org/10.2307/349727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oburu, P., & Palmerús, K. (2005). Stress related factors among primary and part time caregiveng grandmothers of Kenya grandchildren. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 60(4), 273–282. https://doi.org/10.2190/XLQ2-UJEM-TAQR-4944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osuna, M. J. (2006). Relaciones familiares en la vejez: Vínculos de los abuelos y de las abuelas con sus nietos y nietas en la infancia. Revista Multidisciplinar De Gerontología, 16(1), 16–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt Jendrek, M. (1994). Grandparents Who Parent Their Grandchildren: Circumstances and Decisions. The Gerontologist, 34(2), 206–216. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/34.2.206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quilodrán, J. (2001). Un siglo de matrimonio en México. El Colegio de México.

  • Radin, N., Oyserman, D., & Benn, R. (1991). Grandfathers, teen mothers and children under two. In P. K. Smith (Ed.), (1991) The Psychology of Grandparenthood, An International Perspective (pp. 85–99). Taylor & Frances/Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizzini, I. (2001). Crianças, Adolescentes e suas Bases Familiares: Tendências e Preocupações Globais. In Sousa, Sônia M. e Rizzeni, Irene (Eds.), Desenhos de Família. Criando os Filhos: A Família Goianiense e os Elos Parentais (pp. 120–134) Cânone Editorial.

  • Rizzini, I. (Ed) (2007). Acolhendo Crianças e Adolescentes. Experiências de Promoção do Direito à Convivência familiar e Comunitária no Brasil. Cortez.

  • Roberto, K., Allen, A., & Blieszner, R. (2001). Grandfathers’ Perceptions and Expectations of Relationships With Their Adult Grandchildren. Journal of Family Issues, 22(4), 407–426. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251301022004002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, A., & Jones, R. (1999). Grandmothers who are caregivers: An overlooked population. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 16(6), 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022301405838

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossetti, J. (1993). Hacia un perfil de la familia actual en Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Cambios en el perfil de las familias: la experiencia regional. In Libros de la CEPAL, Nº 36 (pp. 110–115). Naciones Unidas.

  • Sadruddin, A. F. A., Ponguta, L. A., Zonderman, A. L., Wiley, K. S., Grimshaw, A., & Panter-Brick, C. (2019). How do grandparents influence child health and development? A systematic review. Social Science & Medicine, 239, 112476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sands, R., Goldberg-Glen, R., & Thornton, P. (2005). Factors with the positive wellbeing of grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 45(4), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.1300/J083v45n04_05

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szinovacz, M. (1998). Grandparents today: A demographic profile. The Gerontologist, 38(1), 37–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, E., & Weaver, A. (2015). Making Connections: The Legacy of an Intergenerational Program. The Gerontologist, 56(5), 909–918. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlenberg, P. (2005). Historical forces shaping grandparent-grandchild relationships: Demography and beyond. In M. Silverstein (Ed.), Intergenerational relations across time and place (pp. 77–79). Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhlenberg, P., & Hammill, B. G. (1998). Frequency of Grandparent Contact With Grandchild Sets: Six Factors That Make a Difference. The Gerontologist, 38(3), 276–285. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/38.3.276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Kaa, D. (1980). Recent trends en fertility en Western Europe. In R. W. Hiorns (Ed.), DemographicPatterns en Developed Societies (pp. 55–81). Taylor and Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Kaa, D. (1987). Europe’s second demographic transition. Population, Bulletin, 42(1), 1–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, S., & Menzinger, J. (2005). New Technologies in the Communication between Grandparents and Grandchildren en Spain. Generations Review, 15(4), 200–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wainerman, C. (Ed) (1996). Vivir en Familia. UNICEF/Losada.

  • Waldrop, D. P., Weber, J. A., Herald, S. L., Pruett, J., Cooper, K., & Juozapavicius, K. (1999). Wisdom and Life Experiences: How Grandfathers Mentor Their Grandchildren. Journal of Aging and Identity, 4(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022834825849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widmer, E. D. (2006). Who are my family members? Bridging and bending social capital in family configurations. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23(6), 979–998. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407506070482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widmer, E. D. (2004). Couples and their networks. In M. Richards, J. Scott, y J. Trias (Eds.). Blackwell companion to the sociology of families (pp. 356–373). Blackwell.

  • Wilcoxon, S. (1987). Grandparents and grandchildren: An often neglected relationship between significant others. Journal of Counseling & Development, 65, 289–290. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1987.tb01287.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A.G. & Nussbaum, J.F. (2001). Intergenerational communication across the life Span. Lawrence Erlbaum Asso.

  • Wilton, V. & Davey, J. (2006). Grandfathers. Their changing family. Roles and contributions. In Blue Skies Report No 3/06 (pp. 101–112). Institute For Research On Ageing-Victoria University of Wellington.

  • Wood, B. (1985). Proximity and hierarchy: Orthogonal dimensions of family interconnectedness. Family Process, 24(4), 487–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1985.00487.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandro Klein.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Klein, A. The New Version of the Relationship Grandparents-Grandchildren as an Opportunity of Unprecedented Bonds. Population Ageing 15, 691–705 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-022-09371-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-022-09371-9

Keywords

Navigation