Grandparents and Reciprocal Learning for Family Harmony

Abstract

Records from archeology indicate that the average lifespan of ancient mankind was about 20 years, with few people surviving to age 50. In contrast, people in wealthy nations now can expect to live 85 years or perhaps even 100 if they were born since the year 2000 (Christensen, Doblhammer, Rau, & Vaupel, The Lancet, 374(9696), 1196–1208, 2009). Expansion of the lifespan has introduced a new stage of development that is accompanied by unfamiliar challenges for policy makers, health care providers, employers, educators, religious institutions, and families. A common opportunity is that the longer the duration, the more individuals can anticipate being a grandparent. This additional time can allow them to provide continuity of affection, care, and guidance to grandchildren from infancy until early adulthood. More than 90 % of retirees in the United States are grandparents; half of them will live to see their great grandchildren (Uhlenberg, International handbook of population aging, Springer, New York, 2009). This presentation explains how innovative education can equip grandparents to become a greater source of favorable influence in the family.