New views of grandparents in intergenerational context

This article contains a summary of the most widely supported findings concerning grandparents' transactions with their children and grandchildren. In addition, based on the research summary, areas for which there is little information are spotlighted. These include general demographic information, political behavior, and asset transfer from well-off elders to their descendants. Theoretical suggestions are included for the latter area. Most present studies focus on the interactional dynamics of intergenerational relations. An assessment of the theoretical and methodological shortcomings of the research also appears.