According to a recent US study, childless couples dream of becoming parents, whilst their parents dream of becoming grandparents. The dual survey of more than 4,000 adults was undertaken by The Harris Poll.
The pollsters were interested in the attitudes of modern Americans towards dealing with infertility and growing a family. Two surveys were conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of LifeSpring Insurance Services. They offer the country’s first individual health policy exclusively insuring primary infertility treatments.
What the survey found
- 66% agree becoming a grandparent is an important milestone to them
This makes sense. According to the American Sociology Association, grandparents and grandchildren have measurable beneficial effects on each other’s psychological well-being.
In 2011, the US Census Bureau revealed that 25% of children under 5 were routinely cared for by a grandparent. Complementing that, 58% of grandparents stated that they enjoyed caring for their grandchildren.
- 75% aged 35-44 thought becoming a grandparent was an important milestone to them
- 65% aged 18-34 thought becoming a grandparent was an important milestone to them
- 64% aged 45+ thought becoming a grandparent was an important milestone to them
You might expect younger middle-aged parents (35-44) to be looking forward to their next milestone after raising children. But it is surprising that younger parents (18-34) are casting their minds forward to when they might be grandparents!
With the group aged 45+ it is harder to speculate what the reasons might be for the slightly lower optimism. However, 45+ is a wide spectrum and you might expect many in this group to already be grandparents anyway.
- 78% of parents say it’s important to them that their children can have their own biological children one day
What can be done to facilitate this process?
According to Reuters, 70% of Americans favour the idea of universal healthcare. The US is the only rich country that does not provide it for citizens. But even in countries that have national health services, treatment for infertility is either not available or subject to restrictions.
The current US healthcare system is unlikely to change radically. But 84% think treatments for infertility should be affordable for anyone who needs it.
Interesting 31% would also be interested in a health insurance policy to protect their children or future children from infertility.
To meet demand, innovative insurance companies such as LifeSpring are now offering parents the option of purchasing policies. These can provide their children with funds to overcome potential future infertility issues.
The insurance companies call this an early life approach. They say it offers today’s parents an opportunity to give their offspring the financial resources if they encounter infertility.
American Sociological Association says that there are psychological benefits to being a grandparent. These new policies offer parents the financial security and hope of being grandparents in the future.
