The diversity of grandparents in rural China: a new classification based on the shift in grandparents’ ideology and family structure

The heterogeneity of grandparent caregivers in rural China increases the challenges in exploring and assisting this group. To address this, the study used data from 38 in-depth interviews conducted in three diverse Chinese villages, identifying four ideal types of grandparents: leading, sacrificial, reciprocal and reluctant. These types are based on grandparents’ ideologies and family structures, reflecting different stages of societal change. The findings indicate that the diversity of grandparents and their varied caregiving experiences in rural China reflect the transformation trends of rural families and individuals. Additionally, this study introduced a new analytical tool for future research on rural Chinese grandparents.