Under one roof : experiences of grandchildren giving care to grandparents

• Main Authors: Ho, Zoey Shi Min, Huang, Yongyi
• Other Authors: Premchand Varma Dommaraju
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social change
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/73676
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research explores the caregiving role of millennial grandchildren to their grandparents residing in a multigenerational household with them. The study considers three main facets of caregiving: the role of grandchildren in caregiving, grandchild caregiver identity and gender implications in caregiving. Grandchildren were found to be secondary or tertiary caregivers, motivated by a sense of emotional attachment to care for their grandparents. Multigenerational coresidence, often seen as a form of filial piety, encourages grandchildren to play an active role in giving care to grandparents. However, it may also be a site for conflict where intergenerational relationships need to be carefully negotiated. Grandchildren found themselves able to transit smoothly into their caregiver roles although some expressed difficulties in negotiating dual identities as a grandchild and caregiver. No significant differences were found between genders in the caregiving experiences and responsibilities of grandchildren, except for an interesting gender preference when executing intimate tasks.