Volume-I, Issue-V, August 2025
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
| Volume-I, Issue-V, August, 2025 |
Invisible Labour, Visible Care: Grandparents and Child Rearing in India Dr. Sriparna Chatterjee, Asst. Prof, Dept. of Political Science, Matiaburj College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Email: mail2sriparna@gmail.com |
Received: 27.08.2025 | Accepted: 30.08.2025 | Published Online: 31.08.2025 |
Page No: 364- 371 | DOI: 10.69655/novelinsights.vol.1.issue.05W.041 | |
Abstract | ||
Family as an institution has always
remained an epitome of importance in India. The collectivist culture has
nurtured the concept of joint family for a long time, which embodies bond,
interdependence, care and harmony. In this family structure, elders, especially
the grandparents, have played a pivotal role in child rearing with
unconditional love and care. With the passing of time, the family structure has
undergone significant changes, witnessing the rising number of nuclear and
double-income families. With this altered scenario, the role and
responsibilities of grandparents have elevated from mere care to serious child
care on a daily basis, ranging from accompanying the child in various
activities to preparing food for them. The matter of great surprise is that the
untiring efforts of grandparents are seldom recognised by the family and State,
leaving them in a zone of obligatory duty and unpaid labour.
It is time to revive and reassess the situation. This study
aims to examine the matter from both theoretical and practical viewpoints to reveal
its true nature. It will explore the mental, moral, ethical, and legal aspects
of this valuable care, which often lacks formal recognition, even from the State.
The study will investigate what measures the State is taking to recognise the contribution
of grandparents. Although it is not appropriate to compensate their care with
money, it is equally important to acknowledge that their efforts should not
remain unappreciated. If the fundamental right to care at home is not secured,
senior citizens' schemes will lose their significance, and exploitation in the
form of invisible labour will continue. Striking a balance is the greatest
challenge this study seeks to address. Keywords: Invisible labour, grandparents, child rearing, care work, gender, ageing, India, social policy | ||