Grandparenthood and grandparenting in Asia

• Main Authors: Dommaraju, Premchand, Wong, Shawn
• Other Authors: S. I. Rajan
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Sociology; Grandparents; Grandchildren
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/165575
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Demographic and social changes are having a profound effect on grandparenthood and grandparenting experience in Asia. The demographic changes have resulted in postponement of grandparenthood. But the shared lifetime between grandchildren and grandparents is increasing. The chances of becoming a grandparent itself is no longer universal in some parts of Asia. The social changes have resulted in increasing need of grandparental care of grandchildren. Asian grandparenting occurs in the context of strong reciprocal expectation of intergenerational support and solidarity with grandparenting roles culturally valued and inclusive. With increasing number of grandparents not co-residing with grandchildren, the use of ICTs for grandparenting has risen. Such digital grandparenting practices are redefining grandparenting roles and relationships. Asian grandparents positively rate their grandparenting experience. However, they do face challenges balancing their other care responsibilities, roles, activities, and demands with grandparenting. The challenges and the diversity of grandparenting experiences in Asia remain largely understudied and unacknowledged both in the academic literature and in policy making.