The Changing Role of Grandparents in America

The proportion of children living in “grandfamilies” has doubled in the U.S. since 1970. The role of grandparents has changed in the past few decades as more and more grandparents are raising their grandchildren.

Even for grandparents who are not raising their children, the role of grandparents has expanded as grandparents are living longer and are a larger part of their grandchildren’s lives. Arthur Kornhaber, M.D, president and founder of the Foundation for Grandparenting, has identified 11 roles grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren.