Safe harbors and stable connections? The relationships between grandparents and grandchildren

Abstract Grandparents can play a variety of roles in the lives of their grandchildren, ranging from occasional visitor to full‐time caregiver, representing a stabilizing force or a source of conflict. Grandparents' level of engagement varies according to cultural norms, familial need for support, and legal determinations. Research suggests that children benefit from the presence of supportive and involved grandparents and perhaps lose out on opportunities for social capital when grandparents are absent from their lives. This article discusses the roles and relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, highlights the impact of those relationships on both, and outlines various legal implications for understanding grandparenting within the context of family law cases.