Recent demographic and social developments also affecting the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. This research presents empirical data on both the value of grandchildren for grandparents and on the value of grandparents for teenagers in Switzerland. Three types of analysis have been done: First of all, the development of life-expectancy and intergenerational co-residence has been calculated, based on socio-demographic data. The data indicate clearly a longer common life-span of grandparents and grandchildren. At the same time, the proportion of grandparents and grandchildren living in the same household in Switzerland is very low (and lower than in the USA).

Secondly, data of a representative survey among elderly have been analysed, regarding intergenerational support. A first observation is that elderly living in institutional settings have more often no children and grandchildren than people of the same age living at home. A second main observation is that the intergenerational relationship of support between the elderly and their grandchildren is much more selective than with (adult) children, indicating that grandparents-grandchildren-relationships reflect a more personalized – and less normative – kind of intergenerational support.

The third part of the research included a standardized survey among 685 children 12-16-years of age in three urban regions of Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich, urban Valais). The grandchildren were interviewed about their personal relationship to each surviving grandparent (including social grandparents), collecting information about 1'712 intergenerational relationships (from the perspective of the grandchildren). In addition to, 509 grandparents were asked about their relationship with the grandchild interviewed, allowing a pairwise comparision of answers.

As (selected) results of our survey we can mention:

a) intergenerational contacts: The grandchildren interviewed indicate a lower density of personal contacts with grandparents as in other comparable studies in France, Germany or Austria. One reason for reduced contacts in urban Switzerland is the high proportion (37%) of grandparents living outside Switzerland (a result of high immigration rates). Many interviewed grandchildren wish for more contacts, and this is particularly the case for grandparents living outside of Switzerland. Different kinds of contacts (by person, telefon, e-mail) are positively intercorrelated, and electronic contacts do not have negative effects on personal contacts. Modern form of contacts (mobile phone, e-mail, SMS) are not related with geographical distance, indicating the development of new forms of intergenerational contacts that have no geographical and social limits (allowing teenagers to communicate with foreign grandparents without parents having any knowledge or control). The density of contacts – and particularly the use of modern forms of communications – is clearly associated with the (perceived) health of grandparents. Cohort effects are also significant as grandparents from younger cohorts have more digital contacts).

b) perceived characteristics of grandparents:The 12-16-years old describe most of their grandparents as kind, humorous, tolerant and generous. A more detailed analysis indicates three different kinds of grandparents (as perceived by the young): a) grandparents as positively experienced family members, b) more negatively perceived grandparents who have no empathy for the young generation, and c) backward oriented grandparents who no longer seem able to deal with change. The perception of grandparents is not related to their age or geographical location but strongly associated with their (perceived) health status. Active grandparenthood is clearly related with active and healthy aging (particularly regarding relationships with adolescent grandchildren).

c) grandparents as persons of reference: In many cases the grandchildren interviewed evaluate the relationship to their grandmothers or grandfathers as very important (49%) or rather important (38%). Only 13% of the grandparents seem to be less important. The evaluation of grandparents as important family member is positively related to geographical nearness, density of contacts, perceived health status and a great amount of intergenerational discussions (on politics, values, social aspects, questions of live etc). However, when asked about specific expectations, a more complex image emerges, indicating some limits on the value of grandparents for teenagers: Nearly all interviewed grandchildren expect from their grandparents ‚just to be here’, ‚to be available’. Specific expectations are considerably less consensual, and everyday interventions of grandparents are mostly not expected or valued (this is particularly the case regarding the private life or the organisation of leisure activities). In other words: teenage grandchildren value their grandparents particulary as ‚generalized family member’, giving support when needed and being available, but not interfering in their private life. The value of grandparent in this stage of life is primarily as a generalized but unspecific person of reference.

d) the relationship in pairwise comparison:Comparing the answers of grandparents and grandchildren pairwise indicates a high consensus on the general value of this relationship, and the pairwise comparison shows also a high degree of consensus considering the health status of grandparents (and no tendency of young grandchildren to evaluate their grandparents significantly as less healthy as the grandparents themselves). Stronger intergenerational discrepancies, however, are visible when specific role expectations are considered: Many grandparents have specific expectations on the role of grandparents (regarding financial support, mediating between parent- and grandchild-generations, helping their grandchildren to find a good profession etc.). Most grandchildren, on the other side, have general, less specific expectations (‚just being available’). Interestingly, there is a high intergenerational consens to avoid to discuss ‚difficult subjects’: questions of love, sexuality, ‚little secrects (like smoking without parents knowledge etc) are subjects both generations are consensually avoiding. Intergenerational discussions refer mostly to general social and moral questions but not to intimate aspects of the life of grandchildren. The often mentioned pattern of ‚intimacy by distance’ is – at least regarding the relationship of grandparents with adolescent grandchildren – combined by the pattern of ‚distance from intimacy’. And those grandparents who are actively engaged in intergenerational exchanges –taking the grandchildren and his opinion serious – without interfering have the best relationship with teenage grandchildren.

Plus des informations

Les relations entre les grands-parents et les petits-enfants se sont modifiées du fait du développement démographique et social. Le projet de recherche entend donner une image actuelle de la signification des grands-parents pour les enfants et les adolescents d'aujourd'hui, ainsi que de la signification des petits-enfants pour les aînés.

Contexte
L'espérance de vie, qui a fortement augmenté au cours des dernières décennies, a profondément modifié la structure des générations et rallongé la durée de vie commune aux grands-parents et aux petits-enfants. En outre, la situation des petits-enfants a changé et de plus en plus de grands-parents peuvent apprendre de leurs petits-enfants.De même, les expériences de vie concrètes, que les petits-enfants peuvent vivre avec leurs grands-parents constituent un phénomène de société récent.

Objectifs
Trois domaines thématiques seront traités dans le cadre du projet de recherche:
- une analyse sociodémographique devra examiner la transformation des structures intergénérationnelles: Combien d'enfants ont des grands-parents actifs? Comment le rapport entre grands-parents et petits-enfants se modifie-t-il dans une société qui compte peu d'enfants?
- une enquête sociologique permettra de révéler l'importance des grands-parents pour les enfants et les adolescents: quelle est l'importance de ces rapports aux yeux des enfants? Dans quelle mesure la relation avec les grands-parents évolue-t-elle au cours du développement de l'enfant? Quelle forme de rapports favorise une relation intense petits-enfants/grands-parents?
- d'importantes questions relatives à la famille et à la politique sociale concernant la qualité de grands-parents et les relations petits-enfants/grands-parents seront débattues: quels sont les droits des grands-parents vis-à-vis de leurs petits-enfants?

Méthodes/procédé
Au-delà de l'étude sociodémographique et de l'analyse secondaire des données disponibles, le principal aspect du projet de recherche consistera en une enquête menée auprès d'enfants et d'adolescents âgés de 12 à 16 ans dans les cantons urbains de Genève et Zurich. Ces derniers seront interrogés sur leurs relations personnelles avec leurs grands-parents. Ceux-ci, quant à eux, seront interviewés sur la signification du rôle de grand-parent et sur leur appréciation des relations intergénérationnelles.

Signification
Le projet devra examiner la manière dont les relations entre grands-parents et petits-enfants pourraient être renforcées. Dans une société où l'on vit longtemps, la cohésion sociale dépend de l'intégration des différentes générations. Les petits-enfants peuvent tirer profit des bonnes relations qu'ils ont avec les personnes âgées et inversement, grâce aux contacts avec les jeunes, les aînés peuvent aborder plus aisément les transformations de la société.

Duration 01.08.03-30.09.05

Grant CHF 260 000

Proposal no.: 405240-68940

Prof. François Höpflinger
Soziologisches Institut der Universität Zürich
Rämistr. 69
8001 Zürich
Tel. 01 634 21 43 (privat 081 325 15 68)
Fax 01 634 49 89
E-Mail fhoepf@soziologie.unizh.ch
(privat hoepflinger@bluemail.ch)
www.hoepflinger.com  

Third party funding
Universitäres Institut "Alter und Generationen" (INAG), Sion CHF 20 000

Beitrag für das Magazin für Wirtschaftspolitik Die Volkswirtschaft 7/8-2007, Generationenwandel auf dem Arbeitsmarkt und in Unternehmen;

Buchpublikation (Seismo-Verlag, Zürich): Kinder, Teenager und ihre Grosseltern – intergenerationelle Beziehungen im Wandel (für Sommer 2006)

Enkelkinder und ihre Grosseltern - Intergenerationelle Beziehungen im Wandel
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	PNR52 manifestation, 19 janvier 2006 nfp52_Bern06_Hoepflinger.pdf (92KB)	30.01.2006			Download >
	Summary project Höpflinger NFP52_Hoepflinger_summary_e.pdf (63KB)	17.10.2006			Download >

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