At a time when grandparents have never been so numerous, we are entitled to wonder: what place do they occupy within family structures? The Opinion Way polling institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, took the pulse of the French to enlighten us on one aspect of our society.
We learn more about the grandparents / grandchildren relationship and the importance of transmission. In the eyes of the respondents, the grandparents must first transmit the values of respect for others, a sense of family and honesty. Tolerance and respect for authority are cited by 21% of respondents.
Family transmission is at the heart of the concerns of both grandparents and grandchildren. “The transmission of a know-how to the grandchildren” occupies with the account of the memories of personal and family life the first two places of the top 5 of the activities seen as priority between grandparents and grandchildren.
A taste for reading and cultural outings are other essential activities between grandparents and their grandchildren.
Grandparents are far from out of date in the eyes of the younger generations. The proof is that 90% of people under 18 think they expect them to share their passion. For 84% they even have a role of confidant to play.
Children’s views on grandparenthood
Children love their grandparents. What do they like most about them? The time grandparents give them, the things they teach them… and the gifts!
In 2011, metropolitan France had 15.1 million grandparents. They were only 12.6 million in 1999, according to INSEE.
