Grandparents in Rural Families

This project is based on significant background literature review work in rural aging, both in New Zealand and comparatively, and begins to explore relationships between grandchildren and their grandparents.

Grandparenting merits critical research exploration, as roles and practices are likely to vary in different social settings and across the life course of each generation and cohort. The rationale for the study is based on the paucity of research data addressing the particular linked dynamics of ageing in rural families through the lens of young people’s experiences. This study is designed to map the perspectives of a sample of young people who have spent a good part of their formative years living in rural communities in the South Island.

Conceptual frameworks are drawn from studies of demographic trends and grandparenthood, and from comparative research on grandparental roles and their importance for families.

This report was produced for the Families Commission Blue Skies Fund by Sally Keeling, Kathy Glasgow and Carolyn Morris.