Evaluate the view that the position of grandparents in the family has
improved.
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2021
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the changing role of grandparents in modern society. State your stance on whether their position has improved.
Arguments Supporting Improvement
Functionalist perspective:
- Benefits of "third age" grandparents supporting working parents.
- Grandparents bridge the childcare gap, providing economic value.
Other Supporting Evidence:
- Grandparents offer financial assistance.
- Increased grandfathers' involvement (Coall et al).
- Cross-cultural examples (e.g., China, Philippines).
- Support for Black Caribbean single mothers.
Arguments Against Improvement
Feminist perspective:
- Grandparents burden women (domestically, financially, emotionally).
Other Challenges:
- Divorce impacting grandparent-grandchild relationships.
- Gendered grandparenting, burdening grandmothers (Chambers).
- Ageism undermining grandparents' status in Western societies.
- Geographic distance limiting support.
- Generational friction due to social mobility (Parsons).
- Working grandparents with limited availability.
Conclusion
Summarize both sides of the argument. Provide a nuanced final judgment on whether the position of grandparents has truly improved, acknowledging the complexities and variations in their experiences.
Evaluate the view that the position of grandparents in the family has improved.
The position of grandparents within the family structure has been subject to significant transformation in recent decades, influenced by evolving social norms, economic pressures, and demographic shifts. This essay will evaluate the multifaceted aspects of this evolving role, considering both the perspectives that support an improvement in their position and those that highlight persistent challenges and inequalities.
Arguments Supporting Improvement
Proponents of the view that the position of grandparents has improved often cite the crucial role they play in modern families, particularly in the context of dual-earner households. Functionalist sociologists highlight the benefits of this intergenerational support system, with grandparents providing essential childcare assistance. A report by HSBC (2017) revealed that grandparents in the UK contribute an estimated £50 billion worth of free childcare annually, demonstrating their significant economic contribution and enabling parents to pursue employment opportunities.
Moreover, the rise in divorce rates has increased the importance of grandparents as a source of stability and support for children experiencing family breakdown. Grandparents often step in to provide emotional and practical support, mitigating the potential negative impacts of divorce and reducing reliance on welfare systems, a perspective often advocated by New Right thinkers. Furthermore, Coall et al. (2006) found that grandfathers are increasingly taking on more active roles in their grandchildren's lives compared to previous generations, indicating a shift towards more egalitarian grandparenting practices.
Cross-culturally, the vital role of grandparents is evident in societies like China and the Philippines, where they often bridge the gap in childcare and provide essential support to younger generations. Similarly, among Black Caribbean families, female grandparents often play a pivotal role in supporting single mothers, highlighting the enduring importance of extended family networks.
Arguments Against Improvement
However, this optimistic perspective is countered by feminist scholars who argue that the increased reliance on grandparents for childcare places a disproportionate burden on women. Grandmothers, in particular, are often expected to assume the lion's share of caregiving responsibilities, potentially limiting their own personal and professional aspirations. Chambers (2013) highlights the persistent gendered nature of grandparenting, with grandmothers often sacrificing their own well-being to meet the needs of their families.
Furthermore, while some argue that grandparents offer stability in an era of increasing divorce, the breakdown of families can also lead to estrangement from grandchildren. This separation can be emotionally devastating for grandparents and highlights the vulnerability of their position, which remains contingent upon the state of their children's relationships.
Moreover, the idealized image of supportive and involved grandparents does not reflect the reality for all cultures and societies. In some nomadic cultures, the elderly, including grandparents, may be left behind or abandoned due to their inability to contribute to the mobile lifestyle. This stark reality underscores the fact that the position of grandparents has not universally improved.
Even in Western societies, ageism remains a pervasive issue, undermining the status and value of older generations. While grandparents may be appreciated for their childcare contributions, they are often excluded from other aspects of social and economic life, limiting their overall well-being and societal participation. Parsons (1949) argued that the industrial society’s emphasis on achieved status creates friction with the traditional authority of elderly patriarchs, potentially marginalizing their influence within the family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there is evidence to suggest that the position of grandparents has improved in some respects, particularly in terms of their economic and childcare contributions, it is essential to acknowledge the complexities and inequalities that persist. The burden of care often falls disproportionately on women, divorce can lead to estrangement from grandchildren, and ageism continues to marginalize older generations in various societies. Ultimately, the position of grandparents is not static; it is constantly evolving in response to broader social, economic, and cultural forces. A nuanced understanding of both the opportunities and challenges faced by grandparents is crucial for developing policies and support systems that enable them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Evaluate the view that the position of grandparents in the family has improved.
*Indicative content*
In support of the view
- Benefits of third age grandparents supporting dual earner parents (functionalists). - Grandparents are flexible in filling the gaps between formal childcare and parental care / Grandparents are providing £50 billion worth of free childcare (HSBC report). - Taking active support role with an increase in divorce rate means fewer families on welfare (New Right). - Grandparents increasingly providing financial support. - Grandfathers taking a more active role with grandchildren than previously (Coall et al). - Cross-cultural examples of grandparents filling the ‘parenting gap’, e.g., China and Philippines. - Black Caribbean single parent mothers receiving support from the female grandparent. - Any other appropriate point.
Against the view
- Grandparents as a burden (domestic, financial, emotional) upon women (Feminism). - Increased rates of divorce mean grandparents may lose contact with grandchildren. - Grandparenting still very gendered with grandmothers taking the burden (Chambers). - Japanese / Nomadic examples of abandoning elderly relatives continue, therefore position has not improved. - Western culture – Status of grandparents undercut by ageism. - Extended families are often dispersed over geographical distances meaning they are not able to provide regular help. - With children being more socially mobile in industrial society/status is no longer ascribed, there is friction between tradition of the elderly patriarch as head of the family (Parsons). - Many grandparents are still in employment and not in a position to help. - Grandparents continue to have the same respected (high) status in some non-Western cultures (Buchannan) so their position has not changed. - Any other appropriate point.
The above content is indicative, and other relevant approaches to the question should be rewarded appropriately.