Grandparent-grandchild relations in a changing society: different types and roles

This chapter gives an overview of research regarding grandparent-grandchild relations from childhood to early adulthood. The authors start with reflections on the public image of grandparents and on changes in grandparenthood due to the socio-demographic developments of the last decades. They provide a general description of characteristics of today’s grandparents, summarise research on grandparental types and roles, and discuss functions and meanings of grandparents and grandchildren for each other in different stages of their lives. Further, the applicability of concepts such as intergenerational solidarity and ambivalence for the study of grandparent-grandchild relations is investigated. Also, a prospective view on future developments regarding current issues is given (for example, postponement of parenthood, the role of grandparents as custodial parents, the effects of socioeconomic developments, changed gender roles, the impact of new communication technologies on grandparent-grandchild relations).