The purpose of this study was to understand the parenting experiences of grandparents caring for grandchildren in infancy and childhood, instead of their son's or daughter's in double-income family. Through this study, we could understand the life of ...
The purpose of this study was to understand the parenting experiences of grandparents caring for grandchildren in infancy and childhood, instead of their son's or daughter's in double-income family. Through this study, we could understand the life of elderly people in a modern society. The research questions are as follows:
1. What is the motivation of grandparents raising grandchildren in infancy?
2. What are the experiences of grandparents raising grandchildren in
infancy?
The subjects of this study were 7 grandparents who cared for their grandchild instead of their children who were in double-income family, in D city. 1 was grandfather and 6 were grandmothers. The average of age was 60. From May to August, 2011, the date were collected through the in-depth interview with 7 grandparents. With consent of the participants, the interviews were tape-recorded. The content of interviews was transcribed and categorized. The meanings of the contents were analysed and interpreted.
The results obtained are as follows:
First, the motivation of grandparents raising their grandchildren was their belief in that they were the second-best carer for grandchildren next to parents, they considered continual sacrifice for their adult-children as a kind of duty and responsibility of parents, economic support which they gives and takes adult-children because of raising their grandchildren. and support for their children's economic and social self-realization because their adult-child couples had to work to live in a modern society by transition and change of modern society
Second, the parenting experiences for grandchildren were understood and interpreted both positively and negatively. In the positive way, first, grandparents could rediscover the joy and love of caring for kids which they did not feel much during their own parenting period. This gave them fun and energy. Second, the elderly couple could have chances to strengthen their affection and love through raising grandchildren. Third, raising grandchildren made a stronger relationship with their children irrespective of living together.
On the contrary, there were also negative aspects in raising grandchildren. The lack of their own personal free time, conflicts with partner or children, physical and psychological burden of raising and housework, and physical deterioration because they could not spend some time for health, could be interpreted as negative experiences of raising grandchildren.
Through this study, it could be realized that grandparents are one of the important carer for their grandchildren. Therefore, social care and support should be made in order that elderly couples could feel their lives full and meaningful and their burden of raising could be relieved.