Family Futures

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Stronger together: intergenerational

solidarity in families and communities

Donna M. Butts, Executive Director, Generations United

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amilies are the foundation of our communities and

global society. The bookend generations of young and

old within societies continue to be the primary basis

for personal and social security as well as bonding between

human beings. Generations have always been, and will

continue to be, interdependent in order to survive and thrive.

Throughout our lives, we receive and give care while collecting,

managing and passing on resources and stories. Such a social

compact between generations not only ensures a higher level of

basic survival but also contributes to the ability of human beings

to flourish and make rich contributions at every age. Families

and communities invest in the next generation, convinced that

this is how society progresses. The next generation in turn will

reciprocate and be better prepared to care for those who are

younger and older, while advancing the well-being of societies.

The circle of life completes and continues carrying us forward.

Throughout their lives, the majority of people in all cultures

maintain close relationships with members of their families. This

remains true even as the definition of ‘family’ rapidly expands

around the globe. Many factors influence this change, including

growing numbers of blended and cohabiting families, unmarried

couples, single heads of households and childless couples, as well

as changing views on same-sex marriage. Today it’s not unusual

for families to include great grandparents and great aunts and

uncles, because people are living longer.

Older adults have always played a significant, but often

overlooked, role in supporting families. This so-called

‘grandparent advantage’ – the ability to recycle human

knowledge, understanding, culture and experience – bene-

fits future generations and is essential to supporting strong,

healthy families.

The grandparent advantage manifests itself in many ways. It

can be thought of as a continuum measured by the degree to

which grandparents are involved in family life. The range runs

from older adults who may have occasional contact with chil-

dren and youth to those that provide some childcare and/or

financial assistance or those that provide a roof and full-time

care, acting as parents in a skipped-generation household.

Reliance on grandparents and other relatives to raise

children has increased dramatically around the world. This

happens, for example, in Africa because of HIV/AIDS, in the

United States due to substance abuse, and in parts of Asia

where distant but better job prospects cause parents to leave

their children behind. Many factors can prevent parents from

being able to parent. In the US alone, 7.4 million children

Supporting the relationships between generations is increasingly important

as global populations and economies shift

Image: Generations United/G. B. Mukherji

“Joey is my cruise” – Adrian’s story

When my husband Ron and I bought our house 17 years ago we

were looking for neighbourhoods with senior centres. We never

thought about grade schools! Then my father passed away, which

left my mom living alone. After her house was broken into, Ron

said she had to come live with us. The next year my grandson Joey

moved in with us.

Joey is our gift. Neither of his parents could really care for him.

We didn’t want to see him go into foster care so we pulled up our

suspenders and went to court. I made every court appearance –

more than 100 of them – to make sure he’d be able to stay with

us. I had a pension, but I spent it all on court costs. He’s worth it!

Joey calls me ‘Babi’ – that’s Czech for ‘grandma’ – and he calls

my mom ‘Double Babi’. The other day he got up early and he came

in and told me, “Babi, I made the coffee, fed the dog, fed the cat

and brought in the paper. You’ve got an easy day today!”

Sometimes at home everyone’s talking at the same time. I told my

doctor, “I can’t wait to get hearing aids – so I can shut them off!”

But really you just have to keep an open mind and an open heart.

I talk to people my age and they talk about the trips they take

and cruises they go on. I tell them I cruise too. I cruise to school, to

doctor’s appointments, to meetings after school. Joey is my cruise

and I wouldn’t have it any other way.