Cultural and Demographic Changes and Their Effects Upon the Traditional Grandparent Role for Chinese Elders

Abstract

In the traditional Chinese culture, the grandparent role is highly anticipated because of the high value and status accorded to that role. Old age is looked forward to as a time when an elder is venerated by younger generations because of the elder's clearly defined position within the family. In today's China, these aging traditions are on the decline and, at the same time, the older generation is on the increase. China's one-child policy and the resulting decline in fertility rates are raising concerns about how a shrinking younger generation will care for an expanding older generation. Because of this emphasis on caregiving, the effect that these cultural and demographic changes may have upon older generations is receiving less attention. Yet, they could very well have various psychosocial and quality of life outcomes for Chinese elders. This article discusses demographic and cultural changes and their effect upon the traditional grandparent role for Chinese elders.