Which of the following is commonly cited as a factor in forming grandparenting expectations?

• A. Childhood memories of grandparents.
• B. Perceptions of the way parents acted as grandparents.
• C. Attitudes picked up about grandparenting from the media.
• D. Calculation of what can be obtained from grandchildren.

Answer: (B)

People form grandparenting expectations largely from observing how their own parents acted when they were grandparents. This direct modeling provides a clear template for what grandparenting should look like—how involved, warm, or distant they were—so people anticipate a similar role for themselves. If your parents were hands-on and nurturing, you’re likely to expect to be that way with your grandchildren; if they were more distant, you might expect—or fear—a less involved role. This intergenerational pattern, explained by social learning, tends to be a stronger influence than memories of grandparents from your childhood, media portrayals, or beliefs about what you can gain from grandchildren.