This study uses data from The China Health and Nutrition Survey to determine trends in grandparents’ provision of childcare. The study monitored households with children between the ages of 0 and 6. The study monitored data for the years 1991, 1993, 1997, and 2000. The study found distinct differences between urban and rural areas. In 1991, 43.9% of grandchildren in urban areas lived with their grandparents, while on 23.3% of grandchildren lived with their grandparents in rural areas. The study hesitates to state that this has to do with a different perception of value in grandparent relationships. The difference was more likely due to real estate demands at the time.
The study concluded that grandparent participation in the 1990s was high with tremendous variability based on location. The one-child rule leaves potentially four-grandparents to focus their attention on one-child, as there are fewer children for grandparents to attend to.