The majority of people will now spend about one-third of their lives as grandparents, yet developmental psychologists have largely ignored the nature of the grandparental role, and the influence which grandparents can have on grandchildren. Originally published in 1991, this book redresses the balance.

List of Illustrations. Notes on Contributors. Preface. 1. Introduction: The Study of Grandparenthood Peter K. Smith Part 1: Grandparental Roles 2. Dimensions of the Grandparent Role in Finland Helena Hurme 3. The Importance of Grandparenthood During the Life Cycle in Germany Elisabeth J. Sticker 4. The Role of Grandparents in the Development of Grandchildren as Perceived by Adolescents and Young Adults in Poland Maria Tyszkowa 5. Grandparent-Grandchild Relationships amongst US Ethnic Groups Emmy E. Werner Part 2: The Effects of Grandparenting 6. Grandfathers, Teen Mothers and Children Under Two Norma Radin, Daphna Oyserman and Rita Benn 7. Transmission of Parenting Across Generations A.A. Vermulst, A.J.L.L. de Brock and R.A.H. van Zutphen 8. The Significance of Grandparents for the Formation of Family Relations Isto Ruoppila Part 3: Theoretical Perspectives 9. Grandchildren's Images of their Grandparents: A Psychodynamic Perspective Piergiorgio Battistelli and Alessandra Farneti 10. An Evolutionary Perspective on Grandparent-Grandchild Relationships Martin Sherer Smith 11. Cooperation and Conflict in Three-Generation Families Maria Leek and Peter K. Smith. Name Index. Subject Index.