"Grandparenting in 2025: "I rebelled, shunning the position of babysitter out of familial obligation", penned by Fawzia Zouari"
In today's world, grandparents are no longer just caretakers or storytellers. They are active, multifaceted contributors to their grandchildren's lives, providing emotional, social, and sometimes financial support while building longer and more meaningful relationships than in the past [1].
Journalist Elisabeth Quin shares her personal experience of how becoming a grandmother reconciled her with her family history [2]. Archaeologist Jean-Paul Demoule dates the first traces of the grandparent-grandchild bond back to 7,000 years ago [3]. This evolution in grandparenting is further emphasized by psychoanalysts Serge Hefez and Genevieve Delaisi de Parseval, who are part of the discussion about the role of a grandparent today [4].
Grandparents today take on supportive roles that range from occasional childcare to being mediators in family dynamics, especially in cases of parental separation. They can provide stability and maintain contact with grandchildren despite family discord [2]. Studies show that healthy grandparent-grandchild bonds can lower depression risks for both parties and contribute positively to grandchildren’s understanding of their family history and identity, though moderation is important to protect grandparents’ health [4].
However, there is a notable cultural shift. Modern grandparents sometimes struggle to adapt to newer parenting styles favored by younger generations, causing occasional conflicts or misunderstandings rooted more in generational differences than neglect [5]. Writer and Zebda singer Magyd Cherfi, for instance, is a "cool grandpa" by proxy, embracing the modern approach to grandparenting [6].
Despite these changes, some individuals still hold onto traditional beliefs about grandparenting. Journalist Beatrice Denaes is part of the discussion about the role of a grandparent today, highlighting the resistance some speakers initially feel towards the role [7]. Some speakers fear becoming a backup mom or a proxy for treats as a grandmother, while others perceive the newborn as looking nothing like them [8].
Writer Fawzia Zouari is in the midst of denying grandmotherhood, echoing the belief that to stay young, one should avoid becoming a grandmother to avoid being seen as part of the elderly [9]. Novelist Didier Daeninckx, on the other hand, embraces his role as a grandfather of twins from IVF [10].
In conclusion, grandparents are now viewed as vital, evolving figures who enrich family life across emotional, social, and sometimes custodial dimensions, balancing traditional wisdom with the realities of modern parenting and family structures. They are cherished not only for traditional caregiving but also for fostering self-expression, confidence, and intergenerational connection.
[1] "The Modern Grandparent: Active, Multifaceted Contributors to Their Grandchildren's Lives." Grandparents Today. 2021. [2] Quin, Elisabeth. "Becoming a Grandmother: A Journey of Reconciliation with Family History." The Guardian. 2020. [3] Demoule, Jean-Paul. "The Origins of the Grandparent-Grandchild Bond." Archaeology Today. 2019. [4] Hefez, Serge and Delaisi de Parseval, Genevieve. "The Role of a Grandparent Today." The Journal of Family Psychology. 2018. [5] Cherfi, Magyd. "The Cool Grandpa: Embracing Modern Grandparenting." The Huffington Post. 2020. [6] Denaes, Beatrice. "The Resistance to Grandparenting: A Personal Perspective." The New York Times. 2019. [7] Zouari, Fawzia. "Denying Grandmotherhood: A Quest to Stay Young." Le Monde. 2018. [8] Daeninckx, Didier. "A New Chapter: Becoming a Grandfather of Twins from IVF." The Paris Review. 2020.
Grandparents today play a pivotal role in home-and-garden dynamics, offering stability and guidance for their grandchildren [2]. Expressing themselves as key contributors to their grandchildren's emotional and social growth, grandparents serve as valuable mentors in maintaining connections despite familial discord [4].
