Effects of gender and paid work on grandparenting
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April 1997
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Abstract
Two features of the later life experience of many Australians are becoming a grandparent and retiring from the paid workforce. Preliminary findings from the Institute's Australian Life Course Study shed light on certain aspects of family involvement as people reach middle and older age. Overall, analysis showed that interaction with grandchildren was an important and satisfying part of the later life experience for both men and women. The author discusses aspects of involvement by grandparents and the effects of gender and workforce participation of both the grandparents themselves and their adult children.
Two features of the later life experience of many Australians are becoming a grandparent and retiring from the paid workforce. Preliminary findings from the Institute's Australian Life Course Study shed light on certain aspects of family involvement as people reach middle and older age. Overall, analysis showed that interaction with grandchildren was an important and satisfying part of the later life experience for both men and women. The author discusses aspects of involvement by grandparents and the effects of gender and workforce participation of both the grandparents themselves and their adult children.