Direct Grandchildhood: Alliance, Gaze, and Mediation in Grandchild Practices

This chapter explores the ways in which grandchildren cultivate their relationships with grandparents independently of their parents. This chapter argues that direct grandchildhood involves a direct and unmediated engagement between grandchildren and their grandparents, characterized by both contentment and wellbeing, as well as obligations and responsibilities. The chapter focuses on three central aspects of direct grandchildhood: alliance, gaze, and mediation. It highlights how grandchildren establish close, informal relationships with their grandparents through humour, trust, and seeking solace. Grandparents become a reliable refuge, always available due to multigenerational cohabitation, where grandchildren can enjoy, converse, or find comfort. Furthermore, direct grandchildhood encompasses the impact of the grandparental gaze—grandparents’ control and expectations of their grandchildren’s lives—which introduces an element of duty and obligation. Additionally, the chapter examines the role of grandchildren in mediating family interactions, a function not solely confined to the parental generation as often assumed. Overall, this chapter emphasizes the direct and unmediated nature of the grandchild-grandparent relationship, showcasing its dual aspects of personal connection and inherent responsibilities.