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Under one roof: Three generations living together
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Article: Under one roof: Three generations living together (PDF)
Objectives
- To examine less common living arrangements among families.
- To consider values and responsibilities within the family.
- To discuss the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.
Method
- Take a quick poll of the class to determine how many students live in three-generation households. How does this proportion compare with the national figure?
- Divide the class into four groups and assign a different household structure to each group (see Chart 1). Have the groups explore, through discussion, at least three possible situations which may have led to the formation of their assigned household structure. One person from each group should present the results to the class.
- In Canada and in most other industrialized nations, the vast majority of grandparents and parents do not live together. According to the article, this is so because they prefer not to. Do you agree; why or why not? What other reasons may explain this situation?
- Three-generation families must learn to live with more than one generation gap. Discuss some of the age-related conflicts that exist between you and your parents, you and your grandparents, and your parents and grandparents. For example, think of the type of music each generation prefers to listen to.
- The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is usually a special one. List five ways in which your grandparents treat you differently than your parents do. What would you miss out on if you didn't have grandparents? Would a "surrogate grandparent," such as a neighbour, family-friend or other relative, be able to substitute for a grandparent?
Using other resources
- Visit the Statistics Canada website. Look under "Summary Tables" and collect more data on family structure, the immigrant population and population age structure.
Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.
