Kids need to spend more time with their grandparents, finds new study
As if you needed another reason to spend more time with the grandkids, a new study has just confirmed what we all knew – a strong bond is good for both you and the little ones.
Researchers from the University of Liege in Belgium studied 1,151 children between the ages of seven and 16, asking them what they thought about older people in general, as well as how they felt about their grandparents, how their grandparents’ health was and how often they saw or spoke to their grandparents.
“The most important factor associated with ageist stereotypes was poor quality of contact with grandparents,” lead researcher Allison Flamion said in a statement. “We asked children to describe how they felt about seeing their grandparents. Those who felt unhappy were designated as having poor quality of contact. When it came to ageist views, we found that quality of contact mattered much more than frequency.”
The study, published in the journal Child Development, found that kids who spent more time with their grandparents were less likely to exhibit ageist views and negative opinions or stereotypes towards the elderly.
However, the grandparents’ health had a surprisingly significant impact on how the children viewed older people. Those whose grandparents were in poor health were more inclined to hold ageist opinions than those with healthy grandparents.
“For many children, grandparents are their first and most frequent contact with older adults,” explained Stephane Adam, professor of psychology at the University of Liege and co-author of the study.
“Our findings point to the potential of grandparents to be part of intergenerational programs designed to prevent ageism. Next, we hope to explore what makes contacts with grandparents more rewarding for their grandchildren as well as the effects on children of living with or caring for their grandparents.”
Tell us in the comments below, how often do you see your grandchildren?