Skip to main content

Grandparenting Roles and Functions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Experiencing Grandparenthood

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 47))

Abstract

The role of the grandparent is a culturally relevant phenomenon, and reviews have called for more studies amongst diverse populations (Thiele and Whelan 2006). Because Western literature is based on a cultural tradition that emphasises individual autonomy and choice, it is interesting to explore grandparenting roles in cultural traditions that accentuate family harmony and collective well-being. Asian societies share a cultural tradition focused on intergenerational exchange, family filial responsibility and the social expectation that grandparents will be involved raising the grandchildren (van Willigen and Lewis 2006).

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ando, K. (2005). Grandparenthood: Crossroads between gender and aging. International Journal of Japanese Sociology, 14(1), 32–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L. (1998). Beyond the nuclear family: The increasing importance of multigenerational bonds. 1998 Burgess Award Lecture. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(1), 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brian, J. S., & Logan, J. (2001). Intergenerational relations: A comparison between Chinese and American families. Journal of Sociology, 2, 85–95 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, C. M. A., Phillips, D. R., Chi, I., Ho, S., Cheng, S. T., & Cheung, J. (2000). The study of the quality of life of elderly residents in the community in Hong Kong. Report submitted to the Health and Welfare Bureau, Hong Kong Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherlin, A., & Furstenberg, F. F. (1985). The new American grandparent: A place in the family, a life apart. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow, N. W. S. (2004). Asian value and aged care. Geriatrics and Gerontology International, 4, 21–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, P. (2007). Changing environments and older persons in Asia. Paper presented at the Expert Group Meeting on the Regional preparations for the Global Review of Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., Fergusson, E., & Maughan, B. (2006). Grandparents, grandchildren and family change in contemporary Britain. In A. Clarke-Stewart & J. Dunn (Eds.), Families count: Effects on child and adolescent development (pp. 299–318). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, E., Teo, P., Yeoh, B. S. A., & Levy, S. (2002). Reproducing the Asian family across the generations: “Tradition”, gender and expectations in Singapore. Asia-Pacific Population Journal, 17(2), 61–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, J. (2001). Comparing grandchildren and grandparents’ stake in their relationship. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 53, 195–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hermalin, A. I., Roan, C., & Perez, A. (1998). The emerging role of grandparents in Asia. Elderly in Asia Research Report Series No. 98–52. Ann Arbor: Population Studies Center, University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamnuansilpa, P., & Wongthanavasu, S. (2005). Grandparents’ relationships with grandchildren in Thailand. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 3(1), 49–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornhaber, A. (1996). Contemporary grandparenting. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwan, A. Y. H., Cheung, J. C. K., & Ng, S. H. (2003). Revisit of filial piety concept among the young, the adult, and the old in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing, Shanghai, Xia, and Xian. Hong Kong: Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, W. K. M. (2004). Living arrangements and informal support for the elderly: Alteration to intergenerational relationships in Hong Kong. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 2, 27–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lou, V. W. Q. (2008). Gender and grandparent-grandchild relations in Hong Kong. Paper presented at the Gender & Family in East Asia International Conference 2008, Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lou, V. W. Q. (2010). Life satisfaction of older adults in Hong Kong: The role of social support from grandchildren. Social Indicators Research, 95(3), 377–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta, K., & Thang, L. L. (2006). Interdependence in Asian families: The Singapore case. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 4(1), 117–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mjelde-Mossey, L. (2007). Cultural and demographic changes and their effects upon the traditional grandparent role for Chinese elders. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16(3), 107–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten, B. L., & Weinstein, K. K. (1964). The changing American grandparent. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 26, 199–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newman, S., & Smith, T. B. (1997). Developmental theories as the basis intergenerational programs. In S. Newman, C. R. Ward, T. B. Smith, J. O. Wilson, & J. M. McCrea (Eds.), Intergenerational programs: Past, present, and future (pp. 3–19). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, J. L., & Cook, I. G. (Eds.). (2009). Aging in Asia. New York: Nava Science Publishers, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan, N., & Petrovic, K. (2008). Grandparents and their adult grandchildren: Recurring themes from the literature. Marriage & Family Review, 44(1), 99–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, J. (1995). Collins English dictionary. London: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, R., Strom, S., Wang, C. M., Shen, Y. L., Griswold, D., Chan, H. S., & Yang, C. Y. (1999). Grandparents in the United States and the Republic of China: A comparison of generations and cultures. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 49, 279–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szinovacz, M. E. (1998). Grandparent research: Past, present and future. In M. E. Szinovacz (Ed.), Handbook on grandparenthood (pp. 1–20). Westport/London: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Y. (2009). A literature review of concept “filial piety”. Asian Social Science, 3(2), 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thang, L. L. (2007). Expectations of intergenerational relationships within the family: ambivalence among older persons in the context of Singapore. In A. Kusano & M. Kaplan (Eds.), Proceedings: Japan conference to promote intergenerational programs and initiatives (pp. 30–32). Tokyo, Japan: The Pennsylvania State University & Japan Intergenerational Unity Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thang, L. L., & Mehta, K. (2004). Grandparents, how do I view thee? A study of grandparenting in Singapore. Indian Journal of Gerontology, Special Issue, 18(3/4), 375–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiele, D., & Whelan, T. (2006). The nature and dimensions of the grandparent role. Marriage & Family Review, 40(1), 93–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. (2005). Living arrangements of older persons around the world. New York: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Willigen, J., & Lewis, D. C. (2006). Culture as the context of aging. In H. Yoon & J. Hendricks (Eds.), Handbook of Asian aging (pp. 117–141). New York: Baywood Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiscott, R., & Kopera-Frye, K. (2000). Sharing of culture: Adult grandchildren’s perceptions of intergenerational relations. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 51, 199–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S. X. (2004). Changes of population and birth policy and its impact on intergenerational relations. Population & Economics, 4, 9–14 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L. L., & Sun, Y. P. (2003). Family intergenerational exchange and its impacts on mental health of the elder adults. Journal of Chinese Gerontology, 23, 803–804 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vivian W. Q. Lou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lou, V.W.Q., Chi, I. (2012). Grandparenting Roles and Functions. In: Mehta, K., Thang, L. (eds) Experiencing Grandparenthood. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2303-0_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics