Role of grandparents - Helping to keep society together

Family resource centres throughout the country have been assuming a greater role in facilitating elderly people, because grandparents are assuming an ever-greater part in rearing their grandchildren, a report published by Family Resource Centre National Forum and Family Support Agency has revealed.

It is difficult to quantify the part played by grandparents in the rearing of children, as the information is not collated through census returns, and little research has been conducted in the area. But there is a general consensus they play a major childminding role, especially with so many mothers working outside the home.

A survey in Britain found that one-third of grandparents are devoting an average of 4.6 hours a day to rearing their grandchildren. This is believed to a European-wide phenomenon.