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An Exploratory Study of Grandparents' and Stepgrandparents' Financial Obligations to Grandchildren and Stepgrandchildren

University of Missouri

Marilyn Coleman

University of Missouri

The purpose of this study was to examine beliefs about intergenerational financial responsibilities between (step)-grandparents and (step)grandchildren. Two hundred women and 116 men responded to questions about hypothetical characters in multi-paragraph vignettes. Perceived obligations to assist a (step)grandchild pay for music schooling did not differ for grandparents and stepgrandparents. Divorce and remarriage of the middle generation did not affect grandparents' perceived obligations, but they did change perceptions about stepgrandparents' obligations to help. Stepgrandparents were no longer seen as obligated to assist following divorce and remarriage. The financial status of the oldest generation, prior commitments to assist, quality of the relationships, and mutual agreement between all family members were among the considerations that affected perceptions of intergenerational obligations for both grand parents and stepgrandparents.

Key Words: financial responsibilities • intergenerational obligations • step(grandpa rents)

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