ABSTRACT
About 70 per cent of middle-aged and older people become grandparents. Since the average age of becoming a grandparent, in Western societies, is approximately 50 years for women, and a couple of years older for men, they are likely to remain grandparents for some twenty-five years or more; about a third of their lifespan. Grandparenthood is thus an important part of the life cycle for most people. It is important both as a personal experience and for its impact on others. For many, the role is very much a positive one. It is common for grandparents to report at least weekly contact with their grandchildren, and to have satisfying relationships with them.
