Consequences Of The Slave-grandparent Syndrome

Slave-grandparent syndrome is a new disease in the 21st century. In fact, the World Health Organization recognizes it as a form of abuse for the role of grandparents.

Of course, most grandparents enjoy helping raise and care for their grandchildren. They feel like they are becoming parents again, but they are warmer and more affectionate. However, as families grow, they often become more stressed. Grandchildren are growing up and so are their needs. In addition, caregivers have to do more every day.

Grandparents in the 21st Century

Today, family relationships in our society have changed a lot. Just a few decades ago, it was common to become a grandparent before age 50. Today, people become parents much later. Now it’s more common for you to be a grandparent at age 70.

The relationships of grandparents and grandchildren can undoubtedly be very different from each other. They depend on several factors such as relationships with their children, where they live, the attitudes of the children and the culture.

In some families, grandparents can play an important role in raising grandchildren. Depending on the family circumstances, grandparents are sometimes needed little or more often.

When it comes to occasional or special moments, there are no major problems in grandparents’ family life. However, they can feel very stressed if they are constantly needed.

What is Slave Grandparent Syndrome?

Slave-grandparent syndrome is a serious condition that affects both men and women who are exposed to physical and emotional strain. Therefore, it causes severe and progressive imbalances, both mentally and in their bodies.

According to cardiologist Antonio Guijarro, this is common, especially in adult women who are housewives. These women have a strict sense of order, responsibility, dignity and modesty.

Grandparents’ sense of devotion

The psychologist Encarnación Liñán has some answers as to why some grandparents feel so involved in this situation that they feel it is their own.

For her, their own upbringing and values ​​are the main reason why grandparents feel responsible for continuing to support their grandchildren and family. She also believes it is a way for grandparents to continue to feel useful. Grandparents often worry that they are useless.

Consequences of slave grandparent syndrome: how does it affect their health?

Encarnación Liñán lists two types of health problems in grandparents who suffer from slave-grandparent syndrome: physical and emotional.

• For the physical problems, Liñán cites high blood pressure, seizures such as palpitations, hot flashes, dizziness, and weakness that lead to fatigue.

• As for the emotional effects, grandparents generally feel bad. They feel anxious when they cannot handle a situation. They also feel sad and discouraged, caused by a lack of motivation in themselves. All these feelings only make things worse because they feel guilty for being uncomfortable.

Grandparents, a great support that you should take good care of

Currently, there are several factors that cause this stressful situation. Due to the economic crisis, many households need grandparents as an economic resource.

Therefore, grandparents are a support for many families. While parents are working, it is much cheaper and more convenient to leave the children with grandparents.

For all this, you have to find the balance between responsibilities and capabilities. Then you can avoid physical and emotional problems that can certainly harm their health.