Grandparents have more influence over Australian families than previously thought, new research shows. Furthermore, women are key to both caregiving and the intergenerational transfer of cultural values. Close to two-thirds (65%) of grandparent caregivers say they help out at least once a month, reflecting the primary role grandparents continue to serve in family support. Without this study, we would not know the grandparenting generational dynamics for the first time. It makes the case for its intrinsic economic value as well as its public good societal benefits.
In Australia, 70% of grandparents are aged 65 and over, with many reporting a strong sense of fulfillment in their caregiving roles. A remarkable 80% of people report being happy with the support they provide. 84% of parents say they’re very or somewhat satisfied with the help they’re getting from their parents. Beyond this positive feedback, studies show that intergenerational relationships within families foster healthier environments as well.
Three successive generations of grandparenting history are now available, showing how this role has transformed within Australian society. The 20th century brought significant changes to age structures and kinship networks, particularly following the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1975. This legislative change gave grandparents the legal standing to seek parenting orders. Now, they’re able to maintain those close connections with their grandchildren, even when family structure breaks down.
Grandparents are not only parent’s best friend, they help define what it means to be Australian. About 3 in 4 grandparents have taken on the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren at some time in their lives. This underscores their essential importance to family wellbeing. Almost every second Australian has at least one parent who was not born in Australia. Among people aged 65 and over, 41% were born overseas from Australia. This multicultural backdrop provides a vibrant context for the different tapestries of grandparenting experiences found in communities across the country.
“When there was Grandparents’ Day at school, I remember feeling quite jealous of the other kids […] because of the Vietnam War and the migration story, for me, growing up, grandparents were distant. We loved them, they loved us, but they were just far away.” – a grandchild whose parents were refugees from Vietnam.
The importance of grandparents to families goes much deeper, as they are critical links in the chain of passing down cultures. Perhaps even more striking, 77% of respondents agreed that grandparents are key to teaching and maintaining cultural values. Almost three out of five adults say their grandparents had a prominent role in their childhood. This gives a glimpse into the long, resilient tradition of grandparental involvement in child-rearing.
