Since grandparents can have profound influence on their grandchildren's upbringing, understanding how grandparents present models of male and female roles may enhance understanding of early sex-role socialization. Sex differences in perceptions of grandparenting were examined in a group of grandmothers (N=177) and grandfathers (N=105) who completed a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaires yielded scores for grandparenting satisfaction and perceived responsibility for grandchildren's discipline and care, for helping grandchildren, and for giving childrearing advice. Results indicated sex differences in several grandparent characteristics. Grandmothers and grandfathers differed in demographic characteristics, and family and individual characteristics contributed to grandfathers' but not to grandmothers' satisfaction with grandparenting. Grandmothers' satisfaction scores significantly exceeded those of grandfathers, and grandfathers' scores for perceived responsibilities for grandchildren's care and for giving childrearing advice significantly exceeded those of grandmothers. Grandparents' self-descriptions implied models of distinct male and female attitudes, with grandfathers rather than grandmothers endorsing relatively high levels of responsibility for taking care of grandchildren and for giving childrearing advice. This finding suggests that grandparents may present nontraditional sex-role models. (NRB)