ABSTRACT
The life span perspective offers a view of life that is progressive and reflective, continuous and insightful. Congruent with this perspective, intergenerational relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, and intragenerational relationships between siblings, offer unique opportunities to examine the dynamic and communicative nature of these relationships in later life. In fact, more than four decades of research into the lives of older adults have provided considerable insight into this dynamic perspective of family relationships between and within generations. With this in mind, research has the potential to take new and creative directions in exploring the depth and richness of the human life experience. This chapter will offer a comprehensive review of research examining relationships between grandparents, grandchildren, and older adult siblings over the life course and consider the influences of gender, culture, and relevant socioeconomic factors fundamental to a feminist perspective. Integrating these perspectives offers an innovative framework by which to explore those aspects of human experience unique to communication and aging research and theory.
