Media release

Lets ask the grandchildren

1 August 2008

In one of the first studies of its kind in New Zealand, researchers have asked children what they think about their relationships with their grandparents.

The research confirms what many people would automatically assume: Young people enjoy the time they spend with their grandparents; it’s important to their development; and they miss it when they can’t get it.

Co-Researcher Kathy Glasgow said the research reinforced the role of grandparents as historians and carers, but also the part they have in developing pride and identity, and encouraging imagination. 

The study was financed through the Families Commission’s Blue Skies Fund. Researchers Glasgow, Sally Keeling and Carolyn Morris talked to 98 students from five South Island rural schools about the contact they have with their grandparents.

Grandparents in rural families: young people’s perspectives explores links and activities young people (11-13 year olds) share with their grandparents and asks how they view their relationships.

Co-researcher Kathy Glasgow said despite a growing interest in the roles and contributions of grandparents there was very little information on the grandparent and grandchild relationship from the child’s perspective.  This was the first time she knew that young people’s perspective had been explored in this way.

She said the study was designed to explore the linked dynamics of growing up and growing old in communities experiencing both population ageing and rural change.

The research showed more than 40% of the young people asked have daily or weekly contact with their grandparents, with one in five describing the relationship as special.  Less than 10% mentioned a grandparent they didn’t really know.  The young people talked about the support they give and receive, the fun shared and the sadness they felt when distance or other barriers limited contact with their grandparents.     

This came out clearly in the examples of the activities they did together.

Responses included work/school focused activities:

“Sometimes I go to work with him – he is an engineer”
“I do her wood every day”
“Building, teaching me stuff”

Fun activities:

“Have walks, have fish and chips”
“He has a lolly addiction.  He shares them with me.”
“Everything – we are good friends”

And communication:

“She tells me lots of cool stories”
“Was in the army and I love army things”
“Talk on the phone and webcam”

Kathy said this research was a valuable starting point and highlighted gaps in knowledge around the relationship between children and their grandparents.  More detail is needed on how things such as gender, ethnicity, rural vs urban and blended families affect relationships in the context of population ageing and community change. 

ends