Age and sex differences in perceptions of grandparenting.

This study considered age and sex differences in grandparenting satisfaction and in perceived grandparenting responsibilities. Two hundred seventy-seven grandparents in three age groups (45 to 60, 61 to 69, 70 to 90) completed measures of perceptions of grandparenting experience. An Age group X Sex multivariate analysis of variance indicated that younger grandparents expressed greater responsibility for disciplining, caretaking, and offering childrearing advice. Grandfathers also expressed greater responsibilities for caretaking and offering childrearing advice, but less satisfaction with grandparenting. When number of grandchildren and grandchildren's ages were statistically controlled, younger grandparents and grandfathers expressed greater responsibility for offering childrearing advice; grandfathers also expressed greater responsibility for caretaking but less satisfaction with grandparenting. Findings are discussed with respect to possible developmental changes in grandparenting and cohort differences in perceptions of grandparenting.