Consequences Of The Slave Syndrome In Grandparents
The slave syndrome in grandparents is a new disease in the 21st century. In fact, the WHO recognizes it as a form of abuse of the role of grandparents.
Of course, most grandparents love to be allowed to help raise and care for their grandchildren. They feel they are allowed to be parents again, but in a warmer and more loving way.
However, as families grow, they often become more stressed. Grandchildren grow up, and so do their needs. Furthermore, their caregivers have more and more to look after every day.
Parents in the 21st Century
Today, family relationships in our society have changed a lot. Just a few decades ago, it was very common to be a grandparent before you turned 50 years old. Nowadays, people become parents much later. Now it’s more common to become a grandparent when you’re around 70.
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can undoubtedly be very different from family to family. It depends on several factors, such as the relationship with their children, where they live, the children’s attitudes and culture.
In some families, grandparents can play an important role when it comes to raising grandchildren. Depending on the circumstances of the family, the grandparents may be needed once in a while or more often.
When it comes to occasional or special moments, there are no major problems in the grandparents’ family life. However, they can feel very stressed if they are constantly needed.
What is the slave syndrome in grandparents?
The slave syndrome in grandparents is a serious illness that affects both men and women who are subject to a physical and emotional overload. Therefore, it causes severe and progressive imbalances in both their mind and body.
For cardiologist Antonio Guijarro, it is very common, especially in adult women who are housewives. These women often have a strict sense of order, accountability, dignity and honor.
Grandparents’ sense of responsibility
Psychologist Encarnación Liñán has some answers as to why some grandparents feel so obligated to this situation that they feel it is their own.
For her , education and values are the primary reasons why grandparents feel a responsibility to support their grandchildren and family. She believes it is a way for grandparents to continue to feel useful. Grandparents often worry about feeling useless.
Consequences of the slave syndrome in grandparents: how does it affect their health?
Encarnación Liñán highlights two types of health problems in grandparents suffering from the slave syndrome: physical and emotional.
According to the physical problems, Liñán highlights high blood pressure, seizures such as tachycardia, hot flushes, dizziness, weakness, etc. leading to fatigue.
According to the emotional effects, grandparents feel bad overall. They feel anxious when they cannot handle a situation. They also feel sad and discouraged caused by a lack of motivation in themselves. All of these feelings only make them suffer more because they feel guilty about being uncomfortable.
“Love is the greatest gift that one generation can give to another.”
–Richard Garnett–
Grandparents are a great support you need to take care of
At present, there are several factors that contribute to this congestive situation happening. The economic crisis has caused many households to need grandparents as a financial resource.
That is why grandparents are a support to many families. While the parents are working, it is much cheaper and more convenient to leave the children with the grandparents.
Because of all this , you have to find a balance between commitments and abilities. Next, you can avoid physical and emotional problems that can definitely harm their health.
