Exploring the Viewpoint and Experience of College Students About Living With Grandparents

Abstract

Objectives The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is an important and sensitive issue. Exploring grandchild’s experiences can demonstrate and throw light on the relationship of two generations and form the basis of familial interactions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the viewpoint and experience of college students about living with their grandfathers and grandmothers. Methods & Materials In this qualitative study, 50 college students were selected via purposeful sampling method. The students were interviewed to find answers about their viewpoint and experience of living with grandparents. All the interviews were conducted in scripted form; Then the data were coded and analyzed with content analysis method. Results Content analysis showed dichotomy in sense of students about grandfathers and grandmothers. Two main themes were obtained “kindness and compassion” and “annoyance and offense”. Subthemes of “kindness and compassion” were “spiritualty”, “patient,” and “unsparing love”. Subthemes of “annoyance and offense “were “familial prejudice,” “interfere in works,” and “gripe.”  Conclusion This experience was instructive for students. It was important that parents behave as the connecting path for this two generation and shape personality of this generation.

Keywords

• grandfathers and grandmothers
• Senile
• College students
• experience
• content analysis