Final answer:
The odds of having a grandmother today are higher due to increased lifespan and changes in societal norms. Modern medicine and improved living conditions account for increased life expectancy, while cultural shifts have resulted in a closer emotional connection and a resurgence of multigenerational households.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exploring the odds of having a grandmother today versus a century ago involves examining changes in societal norms and lifespan over time. In the past, the life expectancy was significantly lower due to diseases, limited medical technology, and harsh living conditions. This made it less likely for people to have living grandparents. However, as modern medicine and standards of living improved, so did life expectancy, thus increasing the odds of having a grandmother in the present day.
Additionally, family dynamics have evolved significantly. A century ago, families were often multigenerational, with grandparents playing a key role in imparting wisdom and helping to raise grandchildren. Following World War II, there was a decline in multigenerational households in the United States. Nevertheless, recent trends show an increase in multigenerational living arrangements again with about 20 percent of the U.S. population living in such households by 2016, reinforcing the grandparent-grandchild connection.
The nature of relationships has also transformed; as quoted, an adolescent girl now feels closer to her grandmother and more comfortable discussing topics like sexuality, contrary to older generations who might have favored other activities over spending time with their grandparents. There is a newfound appreciation for the stories and values that grandparents share today, which might indicate not only a physical but also an emotional closeness that could affect the perceived odds of having a grandparent nowadays.