Handbook on Grandparenthood - by Maximiliane E Szinovacz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Based on original contributions from leading scholars, this handbook offers critical reviews of variations in grandparenthood (historical, cultural, race, gender), contingencies (transitions, roles, influence, divorce surrogate parenting, adult grandchildren) and interventions (clinical, policies, programs). It also addresses research trends and needed conceptual and theoretical refinements.

The introduction describes trends in grandparenting research since the middle of this century, and offers a brief synopsis of the book's contents as well as specific suggestions for further research. The first part addresses diversity in grandparenting experiences, including historical and demographic trends, racial and ethnic variations, contextual influences with special emphasis on grandparents in rural and farm environments, and gender differences in grandparents' and grandchildren's experiences. The second part focuses on the dynamics and contingencies of grandparenting. Chapters address transitions in grandparents' lives, grandparents' roles, the impact of grandparenting on grandchildren, and grandparenting under special circumstances, such as divorce and surrogate parenting. The third part deals with interventions in grandparenting. Specific issues addressed are clinical interventions and therapy with extended families, policies concerning grandparents' visitations and grandparents as surrogates parents and programs for grandparents. The book's concluding chapter offers suggestions for future research. The work has an extensive comprehensive bibliography and index. This work will be of interest to professionals and students in gerontology, family studies, social services, ethnic studies, gender studies, and sociology.

Book Synopsis

Based on original contributions from leading scholars, this handbook offers critical reviews of variations in grandparenthood (historical, cultural, race, gender), contingencies (transitions, roles, influence, divorce surrogate parenting, adult grandchildren) and interventions (clinical, policies, programs). It also addresses research trends and needed conceptual and theoretical refinements.

The introduction describes trends in grandparenting research since the middle of this century, and offers a brief synopsis of the book's contents as well as specific suggestions for further research. The first part addresses diversity in grandparenting experiences, including historical and demographic trends, racial and ethnic variations, contextual influences with special emphasis on grandparents in rural and farm environments, and gender differences in grandparents' and grandchildren's experiences. The second part focuses on the dynamics and contingencies of grandparenting. Chapters address transitions in grandparents' lives, grandparents' roles, the impact of grandparenting on grandchildren, and grandparenting under special circumstances, such as divorce and surrogate parenting. The third part deals with interventions in grandparenting. Specific issues addressed are clinical interventions and therapy with extended families, policies concerning grandparents' visitations and grandparents as surrogates parents and programs for grandparents. The book's concluding chapter offers suggestions for future research. The work has an extensive comprehensive bibliography and index. This work will be of interest to professionals and students in gerontology, family studies, social services, ethnic studies, gender studies, and sociology.

Review Quotes

?[M]akes a vital contribution. The book begins and ends with the editor's own incisive analysis of the genesis and evolution of grandparent research and the challenges that lie ahead in this largely neglected field....Szinovacz's stated purpose in preparing this volume is to "guide grandparent research into the mainstream of research on families and the elderly" and the book appears well suited to this task.?-The Gerontologist

?There is something for everyone in this book, and it leaves one with the feeling that it will prove to be a seminal work on grandparenthood, one that will guide future grandparenting research for the next several decades. The research reviewed and integrated is exhaustive; the bibliography alone is a worthy investment for the interested scholar. The level of writing is accessible to both veteran researchers and graduate students, and most chapters are equally accessible to the lay audience.?-Contemporary Gerontology

?This book it would seem, now stands as the definitive reference text on grandparent research. Each chapter holds to a standard of exhaustive citation of past research and insightful conception of critical issues and needs for future research direction. The book reads well and would be appropriate for use in graduate study.?-Journal of Marriage and the Family

"ÝM¨akes a vital contribution. The book begins and ends with the editor's own incisive analysis of the genesis and evolution of grandparent research and the challenges that lie ahead in this largely neglected field....Szinovacz's stated purpose in preparing this volume is to "guide grandparent research into the mainstream of research on families and the elderly" and the book appears well suited to this task."-The Gerontologist

"[M]akes a vital contribution. The book begins and ends with the editor's own incisive analysis of the genesis and evolution of grandparent research and the challenges that lie ahead in this largely neglected field....Szinovacz's stated purpose in preparing this volume is to "guide grandparent research into the mainstream of research on families and the elderly" and the book appears well suited to this task."-The Gerontologist

"This book it would seem, now stands as the definitive reference text on grandparent research. Each chapter holds to a standard of exhaustive citation of past research and insightful conception of critical issues and needs for future research direction. The book reads well and would be appropriate for use in graduate study."-Journal of Marriage and the Family

"There is something for everyone in this book, and it leaves one with the feeling that it will prove to be a seminal work on grandparenthood, one that will guide future grandparenting research for the next several decades. The research reviewed and integrated is exhaustive; the bibliography alone is a worthy investment for the interested scholar. The level of writing is accessible to both veteran researchers and graduate students, and most chapters are equally accessible to the lay audience."-Contemporary Gerontology

About the Author

MAXIMILIANE E. SZINOVACZ is Visiting Research Professor of Sociology in the department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University and Dozent at the University of Vienna, Austria.