The Grandparent/Grandchild Relationship: Family Resource in an Era of Voluntary Bonds

As a result of basic demographic changes, the grandparent/grandchild relationship has the potential for spanning three to four decades of life. In light of this newly emerging family phenomenon the present article reviews the grandparent/grandchild relationship relative to the older adult, the middle generation, and the grandchild. The role of grandparents as a potential family resource is discussed and implications for family life programming are suggested.