Gender and Perceptions of Grandparenthood

Abstract

Grandparents (N = 301) were interviewed concerning their relationship with one grandchild; topics included the meaning of the relationship, responsibility toward the grandchild, and satisfaction with the relationship. Grandparent gender by grandchild gender by maternal/paternal grandparent MANOVA's revealed no differences in the relationships 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 family extension through grandchildren and the pleasures of indulging grandchildren to a greater extent than did grandmothers. These gender differences may reflect personality development in adulthood and the cultural context of the research.