Baby boomers are hitting prime grandparenting age. Only there’s a problem: A smaller share of them has grandkids than before, and they’re not thrilled about it. The declining birthrates in the US, and the impact it is having on the number of grandparents and their experiences of aging is as follows:
- Decline in Grandparenthood: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 90 who are grandparents dropped from 57% in 2018 to about 50% in 2023, reflecting a broader societal shift due to falling birthrates and more people choosing not to have children.
- Reasons for Declining Birthrates: Factors contributing to fewer births include high housing costs, student debt, career aspirations, political divisiveness, climate change concerns, and rising expectations of parenthood.
- Emotional Impact on Potential Grandparents: Many older adults feel disappointment and envy as their children opt not to have kids, altering their expectations of family life and grandparenthood.
- Alternative Fulfillment: Some older adults find fulfillment through close relationships with nieces, nephews, or by participating in programs like foster grandparenting, which allow them to play a grandparent-like role in children’s lives.
- Changing Family Dynamics: The shift in birthrates and grandparenthood is changing the experience of older age in the U.S., with fewer people experiencing traditional family milestones and celebrations.
Dive into this compelling narrative to explore the profound challenges of today’s grandparents at the article here at the Wall Street Journal.
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