Grandma or Mommy: Familial Labels as Constructs of Identity in Grandfamilies

ABSTRACT

One challenge that grandfamilies, families in which grandparents act as caregivers to grandchildren, must navigate is assignment of labels – whether to go by traditional grandparent labels such as “grandma” and “grandpa” or to assume parental labels such as “mom” and “dad.” Applying identity theory, this exploratory study investigated how grandfamilies negotiate and apply familial labels as constructs of identity. In-depth interviews (N = 23) were conducted with grandparents who identified as primary caregiver to at least one grandchild. Thematic analysis revealed three emergent themes and six subthemes: Labeling Strategies (Correction, Submission); Labeling Conflicts (Internal, External); and Identity Duality (Grief, Opportunity).

KEYWORDS:

• Grandfamily
• identity
• labeling
• kinship care

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Jessica D. Freeman

Jessica D. Freeman, (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is an assistant professor in the Communication Department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her research examines communication dynamics in grandparent-headed households.

Ryan G. Stoldt

Ryan G. Stoldt, (M.A., Wichita State University) is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. He studies media work and risk in digital cultures.