2020 GRANDPARENTS TODAY NATIONAL SURVEY

### Grandparents represent a strong base with great spending power.

* Since 2003, the number of grandparents has grown by 34 percent (66 million to 80 million). By age 75, almost all (96%) are grandparents. In 2032, one in every five residents will be age 75 — increasing the number of grandparents even more.
* The youngest grandparents are about 38 years of age and the oldest grandparents are about 67 years of age, with the average age at first grandchild being 55 (an increase of two years since 2013).
* Most grandparents have, on average, four to five grandchildren, and, by 2030, more than 80 percent of the U.S. 8-year-olds will have a living great-grandparent.
* Grandparents spend an average of $2,562 annually on their grandchildren, totaling $179 billion per year

### The fundamentals of the grandparenting role remain the same, with grandchildren upholding respect for their grandparents and grandparents sharing wisdom and guidance.

* Grandchildren continue to refer to their grandparents by the traditional names (80% use a form of “grandma”; 70% use a form of “grandpa”).
* Over half of grandparents consider themselves a source of wisdom and provide a moral compass on issues such as education, morals, and values.
* Grandparents take care of their grandchildren by babysitting, with one in ten living in the same household with their grandchildren, and 5 percent of those being the primary caregiver.
* Grandparents provide financially for their grandchildren, ranging from gifts to supporting their education and day-to-day costs.
* A majority of grandparents view their parenting style to be superior to parents of today. In fact, over half agree that spanking is an effective form of discipline, in comparison to 4 percent of parents who do it today.

## Executive Summary (cont.)

### However, changes in attitudes, technology, and our world have resulted in definite shifts in how grandparents relate and engage with their grandchildren.

* While traditional names such as “grandma” and “grandpa” are still prevalent, one in twenty are being referred to by their first name.

* As a whole, grandparents are embracing multiculturalism. A third have grandchildren of a different race or ethnicity and fewer have identical race grandchildren.
* Nearly all grandparents say it is important that their different race/ethnicity grandchild knows about the heritage they share, and seven in ten make an effort to help their grandchildren learn about the heritage they do not share.
* Today’s grandparents are sex positive and accepting of grandchildren’s different sexualities, with a majority saying they would support an LGBT grandchild.

### While distance and busy schedules are a challenge, grandparents are finding ways to spend time with and to connect with their grandchildren.

* Distance is the biggest barrier to seeing grandchildren. Over half of grandparents have at least one grandchild who lives more than 200 miles away, and about a third live more than 60 miles from their closest grandchild.
* Four in ten grandparents today are in the workforce. Their busy schedules as well as the schedules of their children and grandchildren are the second biggest barrier to spending time with their grandchildren.
* These challenges are being overcome with increased technological savviness, more in-person opportunities with grandchildren, and travel, with “skip gen” travel (travel without parents) being experienced by a third of grandparents.
* Grandparents also seek additional information about connecting with their grandchildren and staying relevant in their lives. Grandparents welcome online media sources for grandparenting information, although they also consult traditional media.

### Grandkids are the elixir of life! The greater emotional support grandparents and grandchildren receive from one another, the better their psychological and physiological health.

* Grandparents agree that having grandchildren has a positive impact on mental health.
* Grandchildren also make grandparents more sociable and more physically active.

### Grandparents are a varied group and span many life stages

Grandparents span an age range of 70+ years

 -45
 60
 75
 87+
 100+

Grandparents, on average, have 4 to 5 grandchildren.

 2.5
 4.0
 7.3
 3.1