Changing the “institution of grandmothers”: a socio-psychological aspect

The article considers the process of transformation of such an important institution in the Russian tradition of caring for children and their upbringing as the “institution of grandmothers”. Basing on the research results and examples from psychological consulting practices, the author demonstrates the changes in the function of the older generation in urban family with children, connected with the demographic, socio-economic and value changes in society. The article attempts to describe first of all the socio-psychological aspect in the evolution of role and function of the older generation in the life of family, to identify the main types of manifesting the social “institution of grandmothers”, its characteristic problems, psychological conflicts and advantages.