Centre for Policy on Ageing



Grandparents' contribution to society — do we need new policies?
Author(s)	Helen Barrett
Journal title	Generations Review, vol 13, no 2, April 2003
Pages	pp 18-20
Keywords	Grandparents ; Social roles ; Social policy ; Literature reviews.
Annotation	The author notes changes that have occurred in gender relationships within UK families during the twentieth century: an increase in numbers of women in the workforce; couples having families slightly later in life; the rise in relationship breakdowns; the decrease in family size; and an ageing population. These demographic trends seem likely to continue well into the twenty-first century. This short article cites recent research, to examine what these changes might mean in terms of grandparents' roles within families in the UK. Whatever family situations they may find, it is concluded that grandparents will be involved. In response to such situations, grandparenting education and support services are being set up both in the US, and on a smaller scale, in the UK. The overriding question is, could more be done to maximise the input of grandparents, or should their burden be lightened? (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-031007220 A
Classmark	SW: TM5: TM2: 64A
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.