Grandchildhood: Adult Grandchildren's Perception of Their Role towards Their Grandparents from an Intergenerational Perspective

INTRODUCTIONIn recent decades, research has expanded to investigate ties between grandparents and their grandchildren. This tendency is understandable if we consider rising life expectancy and the structure of contemporary families, which often consist of a number of generations simultaneously. A review of research in this area shows that most studies dealing with grandparenthood discuss processes encountered by grandparents when their family status changes and they become grandparents, as well as the various factors shaping their roles toward and contributions to their grandchildren. In contrast, the issue of "grandchildhood" and the significance of the contributions of adult grandchildren to their grandparents as part of intergenerational relationships have attracted relatively sparse research. The present study attempts to answer the major question: What is the significance of "being a grandchild" as perceived by adult grandchildren and their grandparents? In other words, how is the grandchild's role perceived and how is performance of this role assessed by both generations, grandchildren and grandparents? THEORETICAL BACKGROUNDThe study is based on two main theories: the Symbolic Interaction Theory and the Exchange Theory, as well as the Intergenerational Solidarity Model derived from it.Symbolic Interaction TheoryAccording to the theory, individuals exist in a symbolic environment and attribute significance to symbolic roles shaped by themselves and by others with whom they have relationships. Thus, the significance which people attribute to symbols forms the basis of human behavior when these symbols are learned from people who are "significant others" with whom they have a relationship, particularly intimate partners in primary groups (LaRossa & Reitzes, 1993; White & Klein, 2002). An important aspect from the perspective of the theory includes the acts of role shaping and expectations, when individuals define and decide which roles are appropriate and functional for them in relation to others in the relationship (Stryker & Serpe, 1982). Some of the roles have a biological basis identified with a certain stage in the various life processes, and people fulfill their roles as "supplementing" those of other people, for example parent-child, grandparent-grandchild (Heiss, 1976). and in the present study grandchild-grandparent.Exchange TheoryThis theory is based on the field of economic rationalism and in familial system, exchange relationships are not only economic, rather also emotional and social. The relationships reflect receiving and giving and the balance and imbalance between generations. The concern of social exchange theory of aging is to understand how exchange behaviors reflect the changing circumstances of the elderly and those with whom they interact, such as family members (Bengtson, Burgess & Parrott, 1997). The elderly continue exchange relationships with their children and grandchildren as long as possible. However, in old age the reciprocity of exchange relationships is weakened. Dowd (1975,1980) attempts to answer why social interactions often decrease with age and explained that there is an unequal exchange process between older persons and other members of society. The elderly has fewer resources to contribute to the young in the process of intergenerational exchanges. They accumulate losses which lead to a significant reduction of the returns and resources that they can offer within their social milieu and in familial intergenerational exchange relationships, and they become more dependent on society and on their family members (Hooyman & Kiyak, 1998). Adult children accept filial responsibility (the obligation of children to fulfill the tangible needs of their elderly parents, which usually consist of protection, care, and financial support, Blenkner, 1965; Schon; 1960) and serve as their parents' caregivers. Since in today's world a number of generations often live together, the grandchildren are also expected to eventually assume this role in regard to their parents (Hanson & Sauer, 1985). …