The Changing Role of Grandparents in Rural Families: The Results of an Exploratory Study in Southeastern North Carolina

Increasingly, the subject of grandparents raising their grandchildren is the focus in social service literature. In this article, the author explores the changing role of grandparents and provides a basis for assessment and intervention in rural communities. Grandmothers who were primary caregivers for at least 1 grandchild in southeastern North Carolina completed qualitative interviews regarding their experiences in transitioning from the role of grandparent to parent. The results suggest that raising grandchildren may cause financial stress, cramped living quarters, role restriction, and social isolation in this population. However, advantages to this role for grandparents can include greater life satisfaction and a positive influence on future generations within the family. Several key assumptions to guide practitioners in both assessing rural families and planning intervention are emphasized.