Grandparenting Over the Life Course

Relationships between grandparents and grandchildren appear to suffer as grandchildren age from teens to middle-age. Perhaps this is because there are less opportunitites to meet and talk. Affection also declines over that period. However, affection does appear to rebound very late in the lives of grandparents, said Merril Silverstein, Ph.D., author of the study.
     New research from our study is analyzing the unprecendented number of grandparents who live long enough to see their grandchildren reach young adulthood or even middle age. The research suggests an earlier intimacy is often regained.
     In these later decades, grandparents and grandchildren can become important sources of emotional meaning and practical support to each other.