Nonni e nipoti oggi. Una ricerca nell’Empolese Valdelsa

Abstract

The grandparents-grandchildren relationship shows new features today, determined by economical, social and cultural changes, which have radically transformed family institution for the last decades. This essay illustrates some results of a research performed around the Empoli-Valdelsa area through a questionnaire addressed to primary school children’s grandparents. In particular, the article examines specific dimensions of grandparenthood, such as how to take care of grandchildren, the educational task and the meanings grandparents attribute to their role. From the analysis a substantially positive picture of the relationship with grandchildren is pointed out, marked by the grandparents’ awareness of the differences between their role and the parents’ one, the clearness about their transmission intents and the intensive role’s satisfaction, which discloses new perspectives for appreciating the third age and, more generally, for promoting intergenerational relationships outside the family context.