When parents are absent: A study on the role of grandmothers in child rearing

Abstract

This study examined the role of the grandmothers in a caregiving role. Role theory was used as a framework to guide this qualitative study. Four grandmothers who provided care for their grandchildren were interviewed. The result showed that grandmothers’ role had shifted from a traditional role to a grandmother caregiver role. As a consequence, grandmothers experienced stress, challenges, on-time or off-time role, life changes, and at the same time positive experiences. They experienced stress, challenges, and difficulties due to the role timing and role strain which hindered them to perform their role successfully. This research also showed that grandmothers, despite their old age, play a major role in child rearing especially when the parents of the children were absent.