Grandparenthood in the context of ageing in South Africa

The Grandparenthood in the context of ageing in South Africa "report is a culmination of a successful collaboration within Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), between two divisions in the Population and Social Statistics Cluster: Demographic Analysis and Labour Statistics along with an external organisation, the MRC/Wits University Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), which runs the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). Three data sources are used, time use survey (TUS), three post-apartheid population censuses and Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance system (HDSS) data. The analysis is descriptive with results provided as counts, means and percentages. The analyses include estimation of the extent of grandparenthood, timing and likely impact of grandparenthood on households’ time use.

Grandparenthood is a subject of great importance in South Africa, and the study explores its extent and timing, to set a tone for future research and to influence policy related to older adults. Research has largely looked at the grandparents’ caregiving role particularly for the grandchildren. Although the timing of grandparenthood is important (Bornstein 2002), it has rarely been explored. The timing of grandparenthood can affect the well-being of individuals. The age structure of grandparenting shows how much younger the transitioning to grandparenting is for grandmothers, compared to grandfathers."