10 Reasons Grandparents Matter More than Ever
Late
American humorist, Sam Levenson, said wryly, “The reason grandparents
and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.”
Everything in life can be laughed at, but it also must be acknowledged
that grandparents are crucially important figures, both to their
grandchildren and adult children, but also to society as a whole.
According to Dr. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University, the
relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is second in
emotional importance only to the relationship between parent and child.
Children benefit when grandparents are involved in their lives. But
grandparents also enjoy benefits from the relationship with their
grandchildren. A recent study by Boston College
found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and
grandchildren is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.”
The profile of the American grandparent is changing. They are growing
in numbers, widely diverse, and younger than past generations.
According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, the average age of a new
grandparent is just 47 years old.
Here are 10 reasons grandparents matter more than ever:
1. Grandparents Make Difference in their Grandchildren’s Lives
Involved grandparents can make a big difference in the lives of their
grandchildren. More than half of grandparents see their grandchildren
in person at least once a week, while 92% of grandparents report having
changed a grandchild’s diaper. This time and care manifests itself in
healthier happier grandchildren. Dr. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University
wrote, “Research shows that as many as 9 out of 10 adult grandchildren
feel their grandparents influenced their values and behaviors.
Grandparents transmit to their grandchildren the values and norms of
social order.” A recent AARP survey of grandparents confirms that
grandparents are comfortable giving advice to their grandchildren. For
example, 78% of grandparents say they have discussed values with their
grandchildren. Grandparents can also have a special role teaching family
history.
2. More Children Have Grandparents
As the life expectancy has grown, so have the number of grandparents.
While in 1900, less than half of American adolescents had at least two
living grandparents, that figure had grown to 90% in 1976. Today there
are about 80 million American grandparents, which is more than a third
of the adult population.
3. Intergenerational Households are on the Rise
Across the nation, inter-generational households are on the rise.
According to the latest U.S. Census figures, 7.5 million children lived
with at least one grandparent, which is more than 10% of the under 18
population. Today, even the White House is an inter-generational
household, with the First Lady’s mother, Marian Shields Robinson, living with the First Family and helping with raising grandchildren.
4. Many Children are Raised by Their Grandparents
According to the same census figures, 2.7 million grandparents
provide for the basic needs of a grandchild (are primary caregivers).
Even more take care of grandchildren on a regular basis but aren’t
primary caregivers.
5. Grandparents Have Spending Power
Grandparents are an economic powerhouse. They control an astounding
75% of the wealth in the U.S.. A good deal of that spending power is put
to towards grandchildren. A survey by MetLife showed grandparents spend
an average of $1,700 their grandchildren annually. That support is
often used to help pay for childcare or housing for grandchildren. It
also manifests itself as gifts. According to an AARP survey, the most
common item for grandparents to by their grandchildren is clothing, and
second is books. Fun foods (candy and snacks) and toys were also popular
gifts from grandparents.
6. Grandparents Give Back to the Community
The older generations in general are known to be generous
with their time and money, and this certainly holds true for
grandparents. Grandparents make 45% of cash donations to nonprofits
organizations according to an American Grandparents Association (AGA)
survey, and 28% volunteer on a regular basis. What’s more, 15% of
grandparents have even volunteered at shelters for homeless adults.
7. Grandparents Use a Computer
Contrary to the myth of the doddering senior who is lost and confused
in front of a anything that’s electric and has buttons, American
grandparents have generally adopted the trappings of the digital age.
More than 75% of grandparents use the internet and nearly half use
social media regularly.
8. Grandparents Love their Role
According to an AGA survey, 72% of grandparents “think being a
grandparent is the single most important and satisfying thing in their
life.”
9. Grandparents Have Valuable Experience
When you think about it for a moment, who could better provide advice
and help raising children than someone who has already done it
successfully? Grandparents put their past parenting experience to use in
their interactions with grandchildren. The AGA survey indicated 63% of
grandparents “say they can do a better job caring for grandchildren than
they did with their own.”
10. Today’s Grandparents are Active and Involved
Today’s typical grandparents don’t just sit in rocking chairs with
blankets on their lap; they’re active. 43% of grandparents exercise or
play sports and 18% dance. And 38% of grandparents report having sex at
least twice a week. At least 15% have demonstrated for a cause they
believe in.
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