Interesting analysis, ER, and I think you're right -- especially with the weight of evolution behind your argument.

What then, do we do about the attitude of many American elders who, far from volunteering for the care of their grandchildren (or surrogates), deliberately absent themselves?

A piece of junk mail reached my mailbox this past week, advertising a "community" in Arizona (where else?) which requires at least one permanent resident in each dwelling to be 55 or older (the other of a couple may not be younger than 40, and in no case may permanently-residing family be younger than 19). In three months, I will qualify, but I would not live that way, even if all expenses were paid.*

I also spent a delightful two hours this afternoon in the company of a four-year-old girl and her 7-y-o brother, children of strangers who had come to visit the other occupant of this house. She took to me like we'd known each other since her birth (the boy took a bit longer to warm up, as boys will).

You and I are both child-free. Neither of us will know grands of our own "blood", so to speak. I still have the possibility, however slim, of eventually being absorbed into a family with pre-existing adult children with children of their own. I'd love to be the grampa the kids want to spend time with -- and I intend to do some teaching, too. I will wear the robe of Village Elder with pride, should it come my way. Unlike others of our age, I sure as Hell won't purposefully avoid it.

This may be too personal a question for you to answer in HZ, and that's OK... but I'm curious: Have you thought about how you will counteract the trend you lament?

[* - There's probably a correlation between this behavior and disposable income, too... or it may be that more would, if they could afford it.]