Parents' Stories of Grandparenting Concerns in the Three‐Generational Family: Generativity, Optimism, and Forgiveness

Abstract

Adults' level of Eriksonian generativity in midlife has been shown to predict variations in parenting, but there has been less research on its relation to inter generational processes in the three-generational family. As part of a larger study, a sample of 35 Canadian mothers and fathers described a particular, salient child-rearing problem with grandparents when their first-born children were 8 years old. Descriptions were rated for severity of the problem, anger/irritation, optimism about solution, and forgiveness of the grandparent's behavior. Generativity data were collected by a standard questionnaire (the Loyola Generativity Scale of McAdams; McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992). Results showed few gender differences, though mothers tended to be angrier than fathers with the grandparents. More mature parents were more forgiving than younger parents and saw problems as less serious, as predicted. Finally, parent level of generativity predicted maternal and paternal forgiveness of grandparent behaviors, as well as paternal, but not maternal, optimism about problem outcomes. Parental generativity may thus serve to encourage greater forgiveness and optimism among the generations of the family.

Perceptions of grandparents who provide auxiliary care: value transmission and child‐rearing practices

“…Roberto and Stroes () found that grandparents were described by university students as important socializing agents through social value transmission, especially grandmothers, except values related to occupations and instrumental activities, where grandparents had a higher influence. Similar results have been found in more recent studies (Pratt et al ; Viguer et al ; Goodsell et al ). Also, Bengtson et al .…”

Expressions of Generativity Through Family Leisure: Experiences of Grandparents and Adult Grandchildren

“…The study of generativity has also expanded in recent years to include the study of three‐generation families and grandparenting. For example, generative parents have been found to be more optimistic and forgiving of grandparent behaviors that they perceive to be problematic in interacting with their young grandchildren (e.g., value conflicts among grandparents and parents, lack of time that grandparents spent with grandchildren; see Pratt, Norris, Cressman, Lawford, & Hebblethwaite, 2008). Nevertheless, little research has focused on the role of generativity in the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.…”

Grandparenting: Roles and responsibilities and its implications for kinship care policies

“…For example, conflictual issues may cause stress for grandparents. When such issues arise between families, more mature parents tend to be more forgiving than younger parents (towards their own parents) and see problems as less serious (Pratt, Norris, Cressman, Lawford, & Hebblethwaite, 2008). Grandparents also play an important role in instilling in their grandchildren the family history and traditions as an important role that may not always be recognized (Turvett, 2006).…”