Grandchildhood : Care and relationality in narratives of three generations in Sweden

Summary, in English

While the role of grandparents has increasingly been explored, the position of being a grandchild is under-researched. Recognising the active role of children in intergenerational care relationships, we analyse narratives of being a grandchild in Sweden in the 1940s–1950s, the 1970s–1980s, and today. Interviews with 63 participants of both genders show how conditions for care-doings change in response to welfare state developments and in relation to new ideals of childhood. Intensified engagements by grandparents in the life of grandchildren are identified, but also continuity in the significance of close and reciprocal relationships between grandchildren and grandparents.

• Author: Sara Eldén; Terese Anving; Linn Alenius Wallin
• Department/s: Sociology; Department of Sociology; Department of Gender Studies
• Publishing year: 2024-02
• Language: English
• Pages: 120-137
• Publication/Series: Childhood
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 1
• Links: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09075682231216630; http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/09075682231216630
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Topic: Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
• Keywords: grandchildren; grandchildhood; care; generation; relationality; welfare state
• Status: Published
• Project: Intergenerational care in Sweden. A study of relationships, commitments, and practices of care in everyday family life.; Bonusbarnbarn och bonusförföräldrar Om omsorgsrelationer mellan generationer i ombildade och valda familjer
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1461-7013