Reciprocity and the matrilineal advantage in European grand-parenting

Abstract

This study proposes reciprocity between parents and children to explain the observed matrilineal advantage in grandparent—grandchildren relationships in Europe. On the one hand, maternal grandparents look after grandchildren more than paternal grandparents do. On the other hand, daughters help their parents with personal tasks more than sons do. This advantage is stronger in the countries of Europe with lower gender equality and lower trust in others, where the traditional view of the family is more likely to prevail.