7. Describing Family Relationships: Grandparents Flashcards
What is the term third age referring to
As people use to have shorter life expectancies many people would experience ill health before death.
However in modern society we have the third age which refers to the period of time when people are apart of active retirement and are still fit and healthy but no longer working full time.
This can last a few years before they become dependent on people.
How do grandparents provide family support
While the New Right and functionalist view overlook the extended family grandparents are a significant source of childcare in modern society.
When the family breaks done it is the wider family who takeover the emotional and childcare support as grandparents have become older and fitter compared to previous generations.
How many grandparents are used to provide the childcare function
Between 40-70% of childcare is undergone by grandparents
Hilman in 2007 and Hastings in 1997 found that families with multiple disadvantages such as lone parents of disabled children, grandparents were providing emotional, practical and financial support often at the expense of themselves.
How is this level of care complicated
Its complicated as many people especially women are left to care for their own elderly parents causing the sandwich generation who are supporting their elderly parents, children and possibly grandchildren.
What is said about caring for the elderly
Older people grow to be more vulnerable and may require extra support to enable them to live by themselves.
They can experience loneliness and depression that can come about through ill-health or bereavement.
Bryan in 2011 found that careers are more likely to be women and men in their 40s and 50s with an estimated 3000000 workers are also careers.
People are under pressure and unable to look after their own elderly parents due to the increase of life expectancy as the career will be older and the elder will be more sick
What is the link between adult children and the elderly
Social contact from children can be influenced by distance, hours worked and ability to use technology.
These factors can lead to a risk of abuse from relatives or careers who may exploit or harm them. Victims tend to be over 70 and is often abused by family members.
