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A Very Special Relationship: Granddaughters' Perceptions of Grandmothers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Valerie Hyde  and
Ian Gibbs
Valerie Hyde
Affiliation:
Department of Community Studies, University of Reading, U.K.
Ian Gibbs
Affiliation:
Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, University of York, U.K.
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Abstract

The article reports on a study which explored the relationship female undergraduates and student nurses experienced with their maternal and paternal grandmothers. In addition, the article identifies some of the factors closely associated with the relationship, considers the role played by grandmothers with regard to their granddaughters and examines differences in granddaughters' perceptions of maternal and paternal grandmothers. The results highlight the intimate relationship between granddaughter and grandmother. When compared to paternal grandmothers, maternal grandmothers were perceived by granddaughters to be emotionally closer, provide a greater sense of security, be more influential in shaping their beliefs and were more likely to be preferred. They were also found to play a more active role in granddaughters' lives.

Type
Forum
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 1993 , pp. 83 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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