Grandfathers and grandchildren: intergenerational solidarity, activity and meaning

This study was an effort to expand current grandparent research through exploration of the perspective of the grandfather and grandchild on their relationship and to examine differences in grandparenting style, gender, and lineage relating to areas of meaning, activities, and solidarity. Data were collected from 137 grandchildren and 61 grandfathers living in rural Southwest Iowa. Contrary to the hypothesis, grandchildren reported more intergenerational contact, more exchanges, and recalled more activities than did the grandfathers. Results indicated that there were no significant gender effects and very few significant differences when comparing grandparenting styles. Family structural variables did not predict intergenerational relationships