Transnational Grandparenting at the Test of Migration Policy: The Case of European and Non-European Grandparents Who Come to Switzerland to Care for Their Grandchildren

Abstract

This article is based on a qualitative and comparative study of childcare arrangements that European and non-European grandparents engage in in Switzerland. It shows that the Swiss migration regime significantly shapes these arrangements, as a result of free circulation versus visa constraints that discriminate EU and non-EU nationals. It also points to other structuring factors, such as the Swiss care and gender regimes or the quality of intergenerational relations.

Keywords

• transnational grandparenthing
• childcare arrangements
• swiss migration regime