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Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health

Population Health Research Brief Series

How Has Grandparenthood Changed in Rural China?

Merril Silverstein

November 2022

Abstract

China’s rapid modernization and development have led to changes across Chinese society, including within the family. China is experiencing declining birth rates, meaning that fewer older adults are becoming grandparents. At the same time, there has been growing demand for grandparents to serve as caregivers for their grandchildren. This data slice examines the changes in grandparenting in rural China and calls for policies that decrease caregiver burnout, stress, and associated poor health outcomes. 

Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health