The onset of slave grandfather syndrome is largely due to changes in family structure in recent decades, with women integrating women into the labour market and increasing life expectancy, more and more elderly people caring for their grandchildren full-time. , in part, greatly facilitates the famous and difficult reconciliation between the working and family life of parents.
But where are the limits? We must know how to respect the space of grandparents, we cannot forget that they have already done their part in terms of family creation and this part of life.
- Retirement is a period of release.
- A time when we can finally enjoy free time.
- In this way.
- After a life dedicated to work.
- We celebrate because we can finally dedicate ourselves to leisure and our other interests.
- But what is going on these days?.
According to Colubi and Sancho (2016), slave grandfather syndrome results in a set of psychological and physical symptoms suffered by the elderly due to social changes. This set of symptoms also has consequences at different levels, starting with the physique.
How important is the role of grandparents in families?In the face of the difficult times we have lived and have been living for a few years, support for the elderly has been and continues to be a fundamental pillar to reduce the social impact of the crisis in this accompaniment is carried out in several ways:
“Old age exists when you start saying, “I’ve never felt so young. “Jules Fox
However, on many occasions a dynamic develops in which grandparents feel overwhelmed, resulting in slave grandfather syndrome. It is therefore necessary to know how to set limits so as not to reach abuse.
In Doldevilla’s words, what could be an effective and therapeutic enrichment formula for both has, in many cases, a background where what is first and foremost goodness comes closer to modern modes of slavery that use emotional links like bars in a chain. (Soldevilla, 2008)
On the other hand, slave grandfather syndrome is not confronted by the idea that the care of grandchildren and the bonds that are created with them through this care have very beneficial effects, among them Triad et al. (2008) list:
However, if we look closely at this relationship, it also has drawbacks and negative effects. Triad et al. (2008) list:
Remember that grandparents do not have the same energy and skill as when they were our parents, in old age physical limitations can appear, for example, so it is necessary to set limits and organize a routine in which there is a space for them to manage their lives without regard to the needs of children and grandchildren, that is, , grandparents are also people with personal interests who must have a space, this influences not only the happiness of grandparents, but also grandchildren indirectly.
Is it necessary to have a space for aspirations, plans for the future, preferences?Your opinion, while perhaps a little outdated with what is happening today, will always be underpinned by the value of experience, especially when it comes to human beings. where society hasn’t changed much. In any case, grandparents should not feel compelled to give up their lives to care for their grandchildren.
Therefore, a good organization and division of tasks is essential, a plan that allows parents to organize and rely on their grandparents, but only when strictly necessary or when grandparents so desire, they are grandparents, but it is grandparents who ultimately have the right to decide how they want to play that role.