Journal of European Social Policy, 21(3), July 2011, pp.210-224.
Publisher:
Sage
As a result of demographic changes and increased life expectancy in industrialised countries, grandparenthood and has become a longer phase in the life of many older people. Grandparents also help their children by looking after their grandchildren and are an important service provider in childcare, particularly for mothers active in the labour market. This research examined the occurrence of all grandparent/child pairs. However, there were substantial differences between countries: in northern and central European countries (such as Sweden, Denmark, France and the Netherlands) more grandparents help than in southern countries (such as Italy and Spain), while in southern countries grandparents help much more intensively than in northern and central European countries. The researchers found that country specific differences were associated with public investment in childcare infrastructure, and that strong welfare state arrangements motivate grandparents to engage in childcare, with family and state complementing one another where grandparents take over sporadic, less time intensive care while public institutions provide regular, time-consuming childcare services.
As a result of demographic changes and increased life expectancy in industrialised countries, grandparenthood and has become a longer phase in the life of many older people. Grandparents also help their children by looking after their grandchildren and are an important service provider in childcare, particularly for mothers active in the labour market. This research examined the occurrence and intensity of grandchild care in Europe and factors influencing a decision to engage in this form of intergenerational support. It used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), covering Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The analyses showed that, overall, help with grandchild care is provided in over 50% of all grandparent/child pairs. However, there were substantial differences between countries: in northern and central European countries (such as Sweden, Denmark, France and the Netherlands) more grandparents help than in southern countries (such as Italy and Spain), while in southern countries grandparents help much more intensively than in northern and central European countries. The researchers found that country specific differences were associated with public investment in childcare infrastructure, and that strong welfare state arrangements motivate grandparents to engage in childcare, with family and state complementing one another where grandparents take over sporadic, less time intensive care while public institutions provide regular, time-consuming childcare services.
Subject terms:
intergenerational relationships, welfare state, child care, children, families, grandparents;