Grandson, granddaughter, niece ...
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren has varied throughout history. Today, unlike the past, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren prevales more on emotional dimension. This relationship is very strong and individualized and largely changing, which is associated with age span of grandparents. Some parents can`t imagine their life, education and care of their children without the help of their parents. For persons who become grandparents after their retirement, of course, is much easier to take on the role of protecting their grandchildren. If this happens at a late age, it`s more more difficult to participate in joint activities due to the likelihood of disease.
Why is the relationship between granparents and grandchildren so important for older people?
The birth of grandchildren means for older people the opportunity to once again get in closer contact with the youngest generation, represent an important part of the relationship telling life stories and evocation of youth and their families. The role of grandparents today is in many ways the only socially acceptable role of older people. Typically, grandmothers in particular, are more energetically engaged with their grandchildren, especially when they are still small, so it is very welcome that the grandparents are vital enough, that they can carry out all activities with the child. Frequency of contact also dependends on the local distance, closer that they live with their grandchildren, more contacts they have and more they are attached to one another. Contact are partially reduced by grandchildren growing up (most joint activities with grandchildren are between 7 and 11 years of age).
What are the pros and cons of contact between the two generations?
Grandparents provide support to both younger generations, to their children as their grandchildren in the social, personal, and partly also in financial terms. In old age, grandchildren are an important social contact, but rarely provide support for everyday tasks. The problem arises when grandparents assume the parental role in child-rearing, which often leads to conflicts between parents and grandparents. They can also spoile the kids to much which leads to lack of children`s important life experiences.