In the habitus of African American grandmothers: Self-identity, grandmothering, and words of wisdom

To test the images and expand upon the knowledge of the African American grandmother as set forth in the scholarly literature, 13 African American grandmothers, who share a southern African American cultural heritage, were interviewed. First, this study explores how each participant developed her self-identify as a grandmother and the emotional depth of that identity. The development of the participants' self-identifies as grandmothers and the emotional depth of their identities are related to a tripartite model of child involvement articulated as "having," "raising," and "keeping" a child. Second, this study explores how each of the women defines the practice of "grandmothering." Third, this study explores which practices and values the women feel are the most important to pass onto their grandchildren. The findings are interpreted in terms of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice, and the concepts of women-centered networks and other mothers as set forth by Black feminist theorists.