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.…

Interviewed 301 grandparents concerning their relationship with one grandchild. Findings revealed no differences in relationship associated with grandchild gender or with maternal/paternal grandparent status; nor were there significant interaction effects. Grandmothers expressed greater satisfaction than did grandfathers; grandfathers stressed…

Since grandparents can have profound influence on their grandchildren's upbringing, understanding how grandparents present models of male and female roles may enhance understanding of early sex-role socialization. Sex differences in perceptions of grandparenting were examined in a group of grandmothers (N=177) and grandfathers (N=105) who…

Surveyed 69 mothers about having grandparents in family. Found that single mothers emphasized grandparents' support in childrearing, married mothers stressed grandparents' value in providing family heritage and stability, and both agreed that grandparents' interference in childrearing could pose threats to family harmony. Proposes grandparents…

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…

Although research has documented associations between grandparenthood and grandparents' mental health, the basis of these associations has not been extensively explored. This study asked grandparents to describe their relationship with one grandchild and that grandchild's parents; the selected grandchild was the oldest grandchild in the two-parent…

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…

Recognizing the salience of the family in middle and later life, researchers have recently shown increased interest in grandparenting. Population trends which suggest that grandparenting is an experience relevant to many individuals and families for longer periods of time than ever before emphasize the need to examine grandparenting as an…

Most middle-aged and older adults today have the opportunity for long-term involvement with their grandchildren. An exploratory study was conducted to examine parents' desires for grandparents' involvement in grandchildren's upbringing. Parents (N=79) described ideal levels of grandparents' involvement in caretaking, disciplining, and advising.…