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3) 


How has the role of elderly people in the family changed in recent times? 

In the past, the older generation was highly respected in most cultures. They were 

considered to be wise because of all the things they’d learnt in their long lives. 
Elderly family members would have been family leaders, teachers and spiritual 

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guides to the younger generation. They helped to maintain the structure and stability

of the family. 

One of their most important roles was to pass on the old traditions and to maintain
traditional culture. The other vital job they did, especially the grandmothers, was to 

provide childcare for their grandchildren. They would certainly have played an

important role in their upbringing. 

In my country, most of this changed when it became normal for adult children to 
move away to study and get better jobs. Family ties are no longer so strong and

elderly people aren’t respected as they once were. Grandparents aren’t the people 

we usually go to for advice these days. To be honest, many elderly people don’t have 
a significant role in most families any more. However, many do still look 

after the grandchildren if they live close to them. 

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