Which source is least likely to influence how a person approaches grandparenting?

• 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: (D)

The way someone approaches grandparenting is largely shaped by social learning and personal history. Childhood memories of grandparents create internal scripts about warmth, involvement, boundaries, and the kind of grandparent they want to be. Observing how their own parents acted as grandparents provides a concrete model to imitate or modify, guiding everyday expectations and behaviors. Attitudes picked up from the media can also shape ideas about what grandparenting should look like, influencing norms and aspirations. In contrast, calculating what can be obtained from grandchildren is a more transactional viewpoint that focuses on rewards rather than relational patterns. This mindset is less likely to determine how they actually relate to and engage with their grandchildren, which is driven more by deep-seated relational scripts than by anticipated benefits.