Abstract
In rural Thailand, the migration of adult children who leave their children in the care of the grandparents is quite common. This phenomenon results in skipped generation households because the middle generation is missing. The present paper examines relationships between grandparents and grandchildren in skipped generation households. Based on a content analysis of interviews with 48 Thai grandparents, several themes emerged. One was naming patterns (i.e., the names that grandchildren used for their grandparents). These names suggested that the intergenerational relationships were close but that there was also confusion about the roles of the parents vs. the grandparents. A second was mutual assistance (i.e., physical care and financial help) that grandparents and grandchildren provided to each other. A third was the behavior of the grandchild. Grandchildren’s misbehavior or risky behavior was problematic for grandparents. These three themes are discussed in relation to intergenerational solidarity and conflict.
Moderator: Assistant Professor Dr. Manasigan Kanchanachitra
October 25, 2017 Time: 12:30 – 13:30 hrs. Room Srabua (109)
