Grandparents Caring for their Grandchildren: Emerging Roles and Exchanges in Global Perspectives

Families are the safety nets for society. They handle whatever problem there is no program or organizational response to solve in the larger society. Normative arrangements for exchange and transfer that have served families well for many generations are under considerable strain as demographic, medical and economic change has increased the length of time generations care for each other, the severity of problems that people are surviving while continuing to need care, and the complexity of making long term plans in a globalization setting. This review and analysis will look cross culturally at both traditional arrangements and new expectations and strategies. The cases as seen in several contemporary societies, of grandparents caring for grandchildren will be highlighted in terms of responding to needs and changed circumstances.