Grandchildren C) become increasingly important sources of emotional meaningin the last decade or two of life.
The question asks which of the following statements accurately describes the nature of grandchildren's relationships with their grandparents in the last decade or two of life. Examining the provided materials and various sources, we can draw a conclusion that over the recent years, there has been a discernible shift on how grandchildren view and interact with their grandparents. Earlier, activities like going to dancing parties or watching television were prioritized over spending time with grandparents. However, now there seems to be a trend where grandchildren spend more time listening to their grandmothers, seeking advice and support on various issues including sexuality and other life challenges which, according to one adolescent girl, is easier to discuss with a grandmother than with a mother. In GHD-supported communities, for instance, there is evidence that relationships between grandmothers and girls have been strengthened, and girls now have greater self-confidence to seek grandmother's advice.
Furthermore, the role of grandparents has evolved over the years. The experience of being elderly has changed, particularly in the United States where multigenerational families used to be the norm, and elders, including grandmothers, were a source of wisdom and support. Nowadays, grandparents sometimes act as primary caregivers due to a variety of family circumstances, which has likely increased the closeness and reliance on grandparents for emotional support. Therefore, we could infer that grandchildren have come to recognize the importance of their grandparents not only for practical support but also for emotional guidance and meaning.
Considering all this, it is fair to say that grandchildren have developed a greater sense of closeness and appreciation for their grandparents and increasingly view them as important sources of emotional meaning in their lives. Hence, the most suitable answer in this case would be option C) become increasingly important sources of emotional meaning.
Hence the correct option is C