Grandparenting
Grandparenting

Created by Evolution Revised by History: Still in Use Today

Summary/Abstract: The ageing of Western societies and its consequences have been long focused on by extendedresearch. Taking care of the elderly is a heavy burden for the healthcare system, the social care systemand for the families, and according to statistics and projections, more and more elderly peoplemust be supported by less and less active employees. Our study approaches the issue of ageingfrom another perspective: what kind of advantages are provided by the presence of the elderly forthe society, what kind of positive effects do they exert through their grandparent role on the familiesand the society they live in. A simultaneous trend, along with ageing, is the increasing postponementin childbearing and the decreasing fertility. By analysing the former studies and workswe investigate whether more and more people are experiencing grandparenthood because of theirlengthening lifespan enabling them to provide help and support for the family rearing children, orgrandparenthood sets in in the life of the elderly in an age when they are physically and mentallylimited. In the history of humanity the development of grandparenting was an important step inthe spreading of the species by increasing the chances of survival. And though the natural environmenthas changed significantly, we are convinced that grandparenting can provide an answer forthe challenges of the present era.

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