Recognising the diversity of grandparenting experiences, the Families Commission decided that in order to focus its advocacy role, further information was required about how grandparents manage their grandparenting.
Based upon 1176 respondents to a telephone survey and the 2009 UMR Omnibus survey, the report paints an intricate picture of grandparents’ lives, views, and needs.
Overall the research shows that for most grandparents in this study the pleasures of grandparenting outweighed the pressures. Grandparents spoke of the pleasurable experiences of nurturing and observing grandchildren’s development, sharing happy times and passing on skills, knowledge and wisdom to the next generation. But for some, grandparenting places considerable strain on their own time, energy and resources. Grandparents need to be aware of, and confident about, identifying their own priorities and developing and negotiating solutions and compromises that will work best for them and their family. Support from others might be needed to do so, particularly during times of transition and where conflict exists within the family.
This report was produced for the Families Commission by Dr Roberta Hill and Ken Wilson (WEB Research), Dr Cherryl Smith, Bobby Newson, Karen Stewart, Hong-Jae Park, Liz Tanielu, Rosetta Iupeli and Anne Kerslake Hendricks.
Two pieces of research carried out by UMR for the Families Commission contributed to this report: Changing roles of grandparents (a report based on a nationwide telephone survey of 1,178 grandparents) and Questions in the June 2009 Omnibus Survey about the age of becoming a grandparent.
Purpose
Aware that grandparents may themselves require support, the Commission identified a need for further information about how grandparents balance their own needs and interests with caring and family responsibilities, and any pressures associated with doing so. The research would also identify the support and information grandparents need in order to achieve this balance. A multi-method approach was undertaken to provide an evidential basis for advocacy for grandparents.
The primary aims of the project were to find out:
- What the pleasures and pressures are in being a grandparent in New Zealand today.
- How grandparents balance their own needs and interests (including paid work, voluntary, social and family activities) with caring and family responsibilities.
- What support and information grandparents need in order to do so.
- What information others need so that they are able to provide relevant support and information to grandparents.
- How cultural beliefs and practices influence the grandparenting role.
To learn more about the extent and effects of contributions made by grandparents to New Zealand families, the research team also looked at their provision of childcare, practical, emotional, financial and other forms of support.
Key Results
Grandparents’ contributions to New Zealand families must be recognised and valued within families, as well as by communities, government and society. Grandparents need a stronger voice in the development of policies and services that impact on them. Policies and service provision must be responsive to the diverse nature of grandparents’ roles, family structures, lifestyles, relationships, cultures and demographic characteristics.
It is clear that grandparents play a significant role in the lives of many New Zealand families, providing support across a wide range of areas. In particular, the provision of both regular and irregular childcare is of considerable assistance, helping parents to remain in the labour market as well as allowing them time for other activities such as study, or a break from the demands of family life. Financial contributions, small and large, are another way in which some grandparents are supporting their grandchildren and their families, even though this can lead to their own finances being stretched.