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Out of the Shadows: Are Grandfathers Defining Their Own Roles in the Modern Family in Denmark?

Category: Book chapters

People:

Leeson, G. W. (2016)  Out of the Shadows: Are Grandfathers Defining Their Own Roles in the Modern Family in Denmark? in Grandfathers: Global Perspectives (Eds. Buchanan, A. & Rotkirch, A.) pp 69-88.  Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life

This chapter reports on a study of forty-nine grandfathers in Denmark to determine whether the role of grandfather in the modern Danish family is different from that of previous generations of grandparents.

The research suggests that grandfathers in Denmark take on a mentoring role for grandchildren, passing on to their grandchildren knowledge, attitudes, and opinions that can help them in life, without intruding on the role of the parents.

Time is what the interviewed grandfathers have most of, and it is an important dimension in their role as a grandfather.

Most grandfathers felt being a grandparent was an integral part of their life and that, although there were frustrations at times, overall their involvement with their grandchildren brought them much happiness.

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