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The Role of Maternal Grandmothers’ Childcare Provision for Korean Working Adult Daughters

Author

Listed:
  • Sesong Jeon

    (Major in Child & Family Studies, School of Child Studies, College of Human Ecology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea)

  • Katie Walker

    (Children’s Studies, Child Life and Health Program, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USA)

Abstract

Despite the Korean government’s investment in childcare facilities for dual-earner households, maternal grandmothers are increasingly taking on the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren. This trend is examined in the current research. While many studies have been conducted on grandparents’ experiences providing childcare for their grandchildren, significantly less research has been conducted on adult daughters’ experiences with their mothers’ childcare provision. This study utilized the concepts of intergenerational solidarity and a life-course approach to understand the experiences of 24 working adult daughters in Korea (ages 30–43) whose mothers provide childcare. Three major themes were identified following a grounded theory approach: gratitude vs. guilt, dependence vs. independence, and closeness vs. disagreement. The results indicated that adult daughters were found to have ambivalence toward their mothers, reflecting the lack of alternative options for childcare. The results from this study suggest that not only improving the quality of public childcare services, but also diversifying services to reflect the needs of dual-income families.

Suggested Citation

  • Sesong Jeon & Katie Walker, 2022. "The Role of Maternal Grandmothers’ Childcare Provision for Korean Working Adult Daughters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14226-:d:958667
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robin Lumsdaine & Stephanie Vermeer, 2015. "Retirement Timing of Women and the Role of Care Responsibilities for Grandchildren," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(2), pages 433-454, April.
    2. Karen L. Fingerman & Lindsay Pitzer & Eva S. Lefkowitz & Kira S. Birditt & Daniel Mroczek, 2008. "Ambivalent Relationship Qualities Between Adults and Their Parents: Implications for the Well-Being of Both Parties," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(6), pages 362-371.
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