A recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that more than five million, or 7%, of U.S. children are being raised in grandparent-headed households. In many of these homes there is no biological parent in residence, and the grandparents have taken over the role of parenting. This family structure has gained enough residence to warrant the…

Gender effects upon perceptions of grandparenting experience were examined in a study involving 115 grandfathers and 186 grandmothers who represented a wide range of incomes and educational and occupational backgrounds. Particularly studied were differences in Caucasian grandparents' enjoyment of relationships with grandchildren, beliefs about…

Relationships with grandchildren are a normative experience of middle and later adulthood, and a correlate of mental health. This study was conducted to explore associations between grandparents' views of their relationship with a grandchild and their reports of their own and their children's influence upon contact with the grandchild.…

Rituals are often present at times of tension, change, and uncertainty and they perform important and diverse functions at such times. They are, however, virtually absent at one important and increasingly common event, divorce. Families do draw upon rituals to deal with in-law relationships following divorce. This report stemmed from a research…

The study reported here addressed two major issues: (1) what role does ethnicity play in the changing roles and perceptions of grandmothers subsequent to the divorce of an adult child; and (2) what is the effect of this changing role upon the grandmothers' perceived contact with their grandchildren. Subjects were 47 grandmothers from Italian…

Grandparents play a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren. A midwest sample of 100 matched pairs of grandfathers and grandmothers and 70 individual grandmothers provided information specific to each of their 770 middle generation children and 1,254 grandchildren. The results revealed no significant correlation between emotional closeness…

Most American families consist of three or more generations. This study analyzes intergenerational relationships over time. In the past these relationships have been characterized in terms of a generation gap. In regard to this gap, this study seeks to compare and contrast perceptions of generational relations among grandparents, parents, and…

There is little information available on the roles played by grandparents in the lives of their grandchildren following the divorce or separation of the grandchildren's parents. This study compared the specific activities shared by grandparents and grandchildren in single-mother and single-father families of children in grades 1 through 4. Data on…

While husbands and fathers have attracted the attention of family researchers, grandfathers have received much less attention. This study was conducted to explore meanings associated with grandfatherhood, especially with regard to grandfathers' age and health. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to examine grandfather-grandchild…

In this study, change over time in grandparenting experience, sex differences in grandparenting, and differences among relationships with different grandchildren were explored. Thirteen grandmothers and six grandfathers were interviewed; content analysis and thematic analysis of interview transcripts were performed. Grandparents described changes…

Demographic trends of marriage and childbearing early in adulthood and longer life spans have meant that many people become grandparents in middle age and are grandparents for 20 or 30 years. The relationship between grandparent and grandchild is mediated through the parent. This study examines the qualities that parents desire in grandparents and…

This paper discusses the findings from several interviews conducted with grandparents to ascertain the process of grief they experienced with the death of their grandchild. Typically, a grandparent's grief focuses on the dual loss aspect. In addition to the loss of a younger family member, grandparents must console their own child, the bereaved…

The first point made in this presentation concerns the character of basic human needs, in relation to social groups and intimate relationships. Marjorie Fiske's report (1968) of the importance of confidants to the well-being of older persons has been replicated abundantly, but intimacy and confidants are not all people need. Older persons may also…

The importance of the grandparent-grandchild relationship can be used effectively in group work with the aged by using pictures of grandchildren to stimulate personal interaction. Participants are asked to bring pictures of their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or surrogate grandchildren to a two-hour training session on grandparenting. During…

This paper explores the factors involved in the adjustment of children who must live with grandparents. Some studies indicate these children may be at higher risk for the development of psychopathology and pre-delinquent behavior. In contrast, other studies seem to indicate the love and care of supportive grandparents can lessen the impact of a…