Journal of Higher Education Research

Influenced by the dual impact of delayed retirement policies and postponed childbearing ages, the ability of elderly Chinese to care for their grandchildren is decreasing year by year. The lack of care for children born to young couples has contributed to the decline in China's birth rate. This paper observes the decline in China's birth rate from a new perspective and attempts to analyze the reasons behind it from the angle of intergenerational child-rearing. The results indicate that China is influenced by the reality of the annual decrease in the size of the pension fund pool, and delayed retirement has become a forced choice, leading to a lack of time for the elderly to care for their grandchildren. Meanwhile, delaying the age at which the elderly care for their grandchildren has lowered their ability to do so. Furthermore, with further economic and social development, the impact of multiculturalism and the changing values have further delayed the age at which women bear their first child, again postponing the age at which the elderly care for their grandchildren and reducing their ability to do so. In terms of policy practice, China needs to establish a comprehensive social work system to enhance the ability of elderly grandparents to care for their grandchildren. Simultaneously, for those nearing retirement who have opportunities to care for their grandchildren, a flexible retirement system should be established. Priority should be given to taking care of grandchildren, thus enhancing the overall societal willingness to bear children and reversing the trend of declining birth rates.