In the past 10 years the United States has seen a dramatic increase in the number of children who live without their parents in a household headed by a relative. More than 2.5 million grandparents now raise grandchildren without a biological parent present in the home. Grandparents who assume responsibility for their grandchildren are unsung…

This study examined young adult grandchildren's self-reports about the influence of grandparent sex on perceived grandparent painful self-disclosure (PSD) as well as their reactions to grandparent dyad PSD. Perceived grandmother and grandfather motivations for "overall" communication were assessed as mediators of young adult grandchildren's…

Discusses the effects of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Notes that grandparents raising young children are challenged emotionally, physically, and financially, and that the children must deal with many confusing, troubling emotions, including grief and loss, guilt, fear, embarrassment, and anger. Considers the importance of the…

There have been growing reports of older women and men caring for their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many of these grandparents are caring for children with developmental disabilities. To systematically examine the effectiveness of a support group intervention for such grandparents, we recruited 97 grandparents through three agencies in…

This brief publication offers advice to grandparents on their interactions with their grandchildren. Discussion first focuses on problematic aspects of the grandparenting role and then explores ways grandparents can improve the lives of children and ways grandchildren can improve the lives of grandparents. Readers are urged to use the suggestions…

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…

This document is a report on a resolution recommending that states develop and adopt a Uniform Grandparent's Visitation Act which would allow grandparents to petition state courts for the right to visit their grandchildren after the dissolution of the grandchildren's parents' marriage (by divorce, separation, or death). The resolution calls for…

To investigate a cognitive-developmental explanation of attachments between grandparents and grandchildren, three groups of grandchildren (mean ages 4.6, 9.3 and 19.2 years) were studied. (Author/MP)

Notes that every state has passed laws giving grandparents right to petition courts for privilege of visiting their grandchildren. Family specialists need to understand nature of grandparents' rights laws because these laws affect their duties. Asserts that research findings and expert witness testimonies of family specialists should be included…

Prior research has considered the influence of the middle generation on ties between grandparents and grandchildren but has not differentiated between gender of parent and kinship to grandparent (e.g., daughter vs. daughter-in-law and son vs. son-in-law). Eighty-six grandparents provided information about the qualities of their relationships with…

Despite the fact that caregiving-related issues are well researched in the field of family gerontology, the developmental experiences of grandchildren caregivers and the meanings of their caregiving experiences have not been explored. Influenced by the life-span perspective and a constructionism lens, interviews were conducted with 17…

This paper examines recent research on grandparents in American society. The review begins with a description of two key demographic changes that have altered the nature of grandparenthood: increased life expectancy and new rhythms in the family life cycle. Variations in the grandparent role are then discussed, including the development of…

Noting that grandparents in the parenting role are often overwhelmed by the problems of their children, grandchildren, and the social milieu in which they live, this manual presents a 14-session workshop series designed to empower grandparents who are raising their grandchildren alone. Designed to complement "To Grandmother's House We Go and…

Discusses the counseling implications regarding the trend of more grandparents raising their grandchildren. Reviews the major challenges facing these caregivers and their grandchildren and the interventions required to ensure the mental and physical stability of both grandparent and child. Outlines coping strategies, skills, support groups, and…

Recognizing that children today will spend almost half of their lives as grandparents, this paper examines grandparenthood and the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The paper focuses on the grandparent role, discussing styles and dimensions of grandparenting. A number of variables are discussed directly affecting grandparenting: (1) age of…