As the trend of joint families increases, the concept of surrogate grandparents is also becoming increasingly popular, especially among migrant families where the grandparents often live overseas.
But surprisingly, according to one textbook used in Indian schools: "A large family consists of parents, grandparents and lots of children. A large family cannot enjoy a happy life".
Virender Sehwag, the former ‘Explosive Opener’ of the Indian cricket team, took to Twitter to express anger over the statement and tweeted that: "A lot of such crap in school textbooks. Clearly the authorities decide and reviewing content not doing their homework."
Mr Sehwag quickly gained support for his tweet, prompting others to raise questions about India's education system.
One user notified the Indian Human Resource Minister Prakash Javdekar as well as the Prime Minister of India asking them to address the offensive statements.
Grandson showing grandfather how to use tablet. Source: Getty Images
Approximately 35 percent of Australians have parents that were born overseas and this has caused not only a physical gap between grandparents and grandchildren but also a gap in the relationship between these generations.
In order to fill this physical and emotional void, more and parents are embracing the concept of surrogate grandparents, in mutually beneficial relationships: the surrogate grandparents are engaged with the younger generations and the children receive love and care from older people in their lives, people who no longer have to worry about making ends meet or worry about achieving goals in the workplace.
Gaurang Jani, a Sociologist in India, told SBS Gujarati that, "Happiness of the family does not depend on the size of the family.
Indian Grandmother teaching little girl to cook traditional food. Source: Getty Images
"A large family with grandparents can also be as happy as a nuclear family. Sadness and happiness do not have any relationship to the size of the family”.
