Legacy,Influence and Keeping the Distance: Two Grandfathers,Three Stories

Abstract

With the population older and healthier than in previous generations, it is anticipated that grandparents may be an important relationship for many children. Perhaps because grandmothers often have a more central role with their grandchildren, grandfathers are often overlooked by researchers. As such, we know little about what being a grandfather means to this current generation of men. Using narrative research methods, I interviewed two men who are each four years into being a grandfather. Although both men's narratives reflect themes related to legacy and influence, both men spoke about the impact of their awareness of child sexual abuse in their relating with their grandchildren. This issue is explored for the potential barriers this may uniquely have in the grandfather-grandchildren relationship.

Keywords

men masculinity grandfathers aging fathers

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