Invisible distinctions of childrearing by parents and grandparents : two cases in Wuhan

Abstract

With more competition to earn more money to support the family in contemporary China, parents spend less time on their children, particularly in metropolitan cities. Under this circumstances, young parents turn to their parents for help so that an increasing number of grandparents shoulder the tasks of taking care of their grandchildren. However, the responsibilities of grandparent caregivers are more difficult than they expected because previous parenting experiences are less applicable for the new set of challenges in modern life. This leads to ambivalences between parents and grandparents in many aspects, including use of language, leisure activities and behaviors.

This thesis concentrates on grandparenting practice in contemporary urban Wuhan, China, focusing on identifying the reasons for grandparenting, and the differences in children caring between the two generations. From the findings, it is easier to understand how families get along with each other in the multi-generations families, and why they have differences concerning children rearing.

The research was conducted by case studies of two families. Ethnographic methods were applied to collect information from grandparents, parents, and children who was in primary school. Data gathering included observations and individual interviews.

This study contributes to a better understanding of grandparents and parents’ attitudes by one another. This is important because as more young adults who want to have their second child – allowed by the universal two-child policy – the more relevant the phenomenon of grandparenting will be.