Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Economics, August 2002 / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions held by grandfathers and their adult grandchildren and to compare their perceptions of bonding within their intergenerational relationships. The sample consisted of 8 Latter-Day Saint grandfathers residing in Virginia and West Virginia who were between 62 and 88 years of age. For each grandfather interviewed, an adult grandson and an adult granddaughter over the age of 21, living within 250 miles, were also interviewed. The study was guided by two theoretical frameworks: a phenomenological perspective and symbolic interactionism. In addition, ideas, from attachment and social support, also contributed to the formation of the study. Finally, conceptual ideas from a preliminary model of intergenerational bonding were involved in the development and implementation of this study. The study was conducted utilizing a qualitative method of inquiry. Data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews, and the schedules were developed by the researcher. First, both grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported similar perceptions concerning areas such as the emotional closeness they experienced within the intergenerational relationship, the importance of knowing one's ancestors, and the grandfather's influence on the grandchildren's values and beliefs. Not all perceptions were found to be similar among the intergenerational groups however. First, both grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported similar perceptions concerning areas such as the emotional closeness they experienced within the intergenerational relationship, the importance of knowing one's ancestors, and the grandfather's influence on the grandchildren's values and beliefs. Not all perceptions were found to be similar among the intergenerational groups however. Second, grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported being highly involved in intergenerational activities. The most frequently mentioned type of activity reported was recreational/outdoor activities. Gender differences were found and discussed regarding the activities mentioned by grandsons and granddaughters. Third, four themes emerged from these data, three of which seemed to promote intergenerational closeness. They included: engaging in frequent contact, serving one another, and being a part of a conversational family. The fourth theme regarded the strong application of LDS religious principles within these grandfather-adult grandchild relationships. Implications and future research directions are also discussed. Third, four themes emerged from these data, three of which seemed to promote intergenerational closeness. They included: engaging in frequent contact, serving one another, and being a part of a conversational family. The fourth theme regarded the strong application of LDS religious principles within these grandfather-adult grandchild relationships. Implications and future research directions are also discussed. / Ph. D.

Throughout the life course, all family members can expect to find themselves in some type of caregiving role. Individuals may find themselves providing care for a child or for an older family member who needs assistance. With the increase in life expectancy and the shrinking family size, individuals may find themselves spending time providing care to older family members. Despite the fact that caregiving related issues are well researched in the field of gerontology, the developmental experiences of grandchildren caregivers and the meanings of their caregiving experiences have not been explored in previous empirical work. Influenced by symbolic interactionism theory and the life course and life-span perspectives, the research questions that guide this study are: What is the nature of caregiving from the perspectives of grandchildren in the grandparent-grandchild relationship? What meanings do grandchildren give to the caregiving role? A qualitative study was conducted to examine the experiences of adult grandchildren (21-29 years old) who were currently providing some type of care-related activity for at least one grandparent. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews, lasting 30-80 minutes, with 17 grandchildren caregivers were conducted one time to examine the participants' caregiving experience. All interviews were completed at a location of the participants' choice. Interviews were tape-recorded and tapes were transcribed verbatim to aid in data analysis. Grandchildren caregivers' experiences illustrate variation with the reasons for providing care and the amount of time engaged in care related activities. Grandchildren were assisting with instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living. Reasons for providing care included grandparents' chronic illness or gradual aging, a crisis or event that left grandparents needing assistance, and because they had been providing care since they were young children. The amount of time grandchildren engaged in care related activities ranged from daily to several hours a week during summer and winter breaks. Grandchildren caregivers reported that family values, making grandparents happy, and preparing for the future were how they made sense of their role. Grandchildren experienced benefits and drawbacks from assisting grandparents and discussed how parents served as mediators and distracters to their caregiving role. Grandchildren caregivers exhibited the ability to adapt to caregiving situations and develop coping mechanisms that allowed them to be successful caregivers. Service professionals may want to include grandchildren caregivers in established support groups, caregiver programs, and enhance caregiver resources to support the generational needs of grandchildren caregivers in their 20s. / Ph. D.

This paper studies the employment rates, earnings and social assistance of grandchildren to the immigrants that came to Sweden before 1960. The results indicate that there are differences regarding employment, earnings and social assistance between some of the third-generation immigrant groups and the third-generation native groups, especially when it comes to employment rates. No differences were however found for the grandchildren of immigrants from outside of Europe, but around 90 percent of them came from North America and many were return migrants. One conclusion from this paper is that differences in labor market outcomes between immigrant groups and natives may exist over several generations and that immigration policy may have very long lasting effects.

<p>This paper studies the employment rates, earnings and social assistance of grandchildren to the immigrants that came to Sweden before 1960. The results indicate that there are differences regarding employment, earnings and social assistance between some of the third-generation immigrant groups and the third-generation native groups, especially when it comes to employment rates. No differences were however found for the grandchildren of immigrants from outside of Europe, but around 90 percent of them came from North America and many were return migrants. One conclusion from this paper is that differences in labor market outcomes between immigrant groups and natives may exist over several generations and that immigration policy may have very long lasting effects.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- The Institute for Clinical Social Work , 1995. / A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Institute of Clinical Social Work in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-257).

This research explored the experiences of lesbian and queer-identified women who are actively grandparenting in the context of a same-sex relationship. Most research investigating the experiences of grandparents takes a heteronormative focus and fails to acknowledge the possibility that grandparenting can take place within the context of a queer family structure. Thus, this study attempted to initiate a discussion among feminist, queer, and gerontological researchers to fill a gap in the literature on grandparenting within a same-sex context. A qualitative study of four lesbian/queer-identified couples was conducted. In semi-structured interviews, couples were interviewed together and asked questions about their involvement in the everyday lives of their grandchildren, how homophobia and heterosexism impacts their relationships with their grandchildren, and how these experiences vary (if at all) with the nature of the grandmothers’ relational ties (e.g., biologically related or non-biologically related). While the sample included some variation in terms of incomes, backgrounds and cultures, all four couples are linked into informal lesbian/ queer community networks and live in large or mid-size urban areas in southern Ontario – a relatively progressive jurisdiction with respect to same sex marriage and human rights legislation. Findings suggest that there are differences in the experiences of lesbian grandmothers based on varying relational ties and that non-biological women are particularly affected by changes in the socio-legal context and by homophobia and heterosexism within the extended family. Non-biologically related grandmothers consider their role as a grandmother to be ‘chosen;’ that is, they made a conscious decision to identify as a grandmother. Non-biologically related grandmothers also did not anticipate becoming grandmothers because they were not biological mothers; thus, the opportunity to become a grandmother contributed to a life course journey that they did not expect to have. By grandparenting openly and honestly within the context of a same-sex relationships, participants strive to prepare their grandchildren for an increasingly diverse Canadian demographic by modeling a healthy and loving ‘non-traditional’ family and by demonstrating the importance of accepting differences. With respect to implications, the findings suggest that supporting non-biological parents and grandparents will be a critical step for service providers and policy makers who are working with LGBTQ families. At the level of direct practice, these family experiences underscore the importance of recognizing and affirming these non-traditional family forms. In many settings, social work practitioners have and can seize opportunities to question, confront and revisit organizational and professional practices that fail to acknowledge them. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW) / This research explored the experiences of lesbian and queer-identified women who are actively grandparenting in the context of a same-sex relationship. Most research investigating the experiences of grandparents takes a heteronormative focus and fails to acknowledge the possibility that grandparenting can take place within the context of a queer family structure. Thus, this study attempted to initiate a discussion among feminist, queer, and gerontological researchers to fill a gap in the literature on grandparenting within a same-sex context. A qualitative study of four lesbian/queer-identified couples was conducted. In semi-structured interviews, couples were interviewed together and asked questions about their involvement in the everyday lives of their grandchildren, how homophobia and heterosexism impacts their relationships with their grandchildren, and how these experiences vary (if at all) with the nature of the grandmothers’ relational ties (e.g., biologically related or non-biologically related). While the sample included some variation in terms of incomes, backgrounds and cultures, all four couples are linked into informal lesbian/ queer community networks and live in large or mid-size urban areas in southern Ontario – a relatively progressive jurisdiction with respect to same sex marriage and human rights legislation. Findings suggest that there are differences in the experiences of lesbian grandmothers based on varying relational ties and that non-biological women are particularly affected by changes in the socio-legal context and by homophobia and heterosexism within the extended family. Non-biologically related grandmothers consider their role as a grandmother to be ‘chosen;’ that is, they made a conscious decision to identify as a grandmother. Non-biologically related grandmothers also did not anticipate becoming grandmothers because they were not biological mothers; thus, the opportunity to become a grandmother contributed to a life course journey that they did not expect to have. By grandparenting openly and honestly within the context of a same-sex relationships, participants strive to prepare their grandchildren for an increasingly diverse Canadian demographic by modeling a healthy and loving ‘non-traditional’ family and by demonstrating the importance of accepting differences. With respect to implications, the findings suggest that supporting non-biological parents and grandparents will be a critical step for service providers and policy makers who are working with LGBTQ families. At the level of direct practice, these family experiences underscore the importance of recognizing and affirming these non-traditional family forms. In many settings, social work practitioners have and can seize opportunities to question, confront and revisit organizational and professional practices that fail to acknowledge them.