Grandparents who follow what they see as a prescribed role fit into which category of grandparenting?

• A. Reservoir Of Family Wisdom
• B. Formal
• C. Distant Figure
• D. Surrogate

Answer: (B)

This item tests understanding of a grandparenting styles typology where some grandparents operate within clearly defined social expectations. When a grandparent follows what they see as a prescribed role, they are engaging in a formal style. In this approach, the grandparent’s behavior is guided by rules and duties laid out by family and culture—there’s an emphasis on structure, boundaries, and responsible involvement rather than on intimate emotional closeness, on acting as a substitute parent, or on purely playful interactions. They may contribute in planned, predictable ways—offering guidance, maintaining traditions, and supporting the family within established expectations. The other categories describe different orientations: a reservoir of wisdom focuses on sharing knowledge and stories, a distant figure involves limited contact and emotional distance, a surrogate fills a parental role, and a fun-seeker prioritizes enjoyable activities.