Grandparents

What image comes to mind when we hear the term grandparents? Too often it is the Norman Rockwell view of innocuous, kindly white-haired folk or, conversely, the negative stereotype of doddering dim-witted burdens confined to nursing homes. Unfortunately, such notions short-change not only older people but younger generations as well, who may never realise how much grandparents have to offer. This informative, well-researched book aims to add some perspective and depth to the stick-figure images of grandparents promulgated by contemporary culture. Psychotherapist Ursula Falk and sociologist Gerhard Falk provide an illuminating overview of the many facets of being a grandparent in today's society. Among the topics discussed are the history of the grandparent role and its evolution, social forces that have affected the American family including grandparents, the distinctly different roles of grandmother and grandfather, the parental responsibilities that grandparents today are often forced to assume for their grandchildren in the absence of the children's parents, the ways in which other cultures treat grandparents, the usually negative and stereotypical depiction of grandparents in the media and in literature, and finally the supporting role that grandparents play with authentic examples. Also included is an appendix outlining the legal rights of grandparents. The authors stress that grandparents must be seen as individuals with their own lives to lead and that society needs to reassess the value of the elderly.

ISBN 1573929662   Pages 320 ISBN13 9781573929660 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Prometheus Books   Weight (grammes) 431 Imprint Prometheus Books   Published in Amherst Format Paperback   Height (mm) 230 Publication date 20 Nov 2002   Width (mm) 155 Library of Congress HQ759.9 F3   Spine width (mm) 19 DEWEY 306.8745   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC21

		Acknowledgment		9
		Preface		11
		Introduction		13
1		Grandparents Then and Now: A Brief History		15
2		Grandparents Today: Social Forces and Social Change		35
3		Grandmothers		63
4		Grandfathers		79
5		In Loco Parentis: Raising Grandchildren		100
6		Grandparents in Various Cultures		122
7		Grandparents in the Media and in Literature		147
8		Grandparents: The Supporting Generation		169
App		The Legal Rights of Grandparents		191
		Notes		291
		Bibliography		305
		Index		315

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