[Sols]

How is calling her his grandmother inaccurate? I thought you were talking about the name. Why would a "step grandmother" not be a "real grandmother?" Is a step father not a real father?

[msnimje]

How is calling her his grandmother inaccurate? ....Is a step father not a real father?

Most people understand the use of the word "real" to mean "actual" or "factual" when used in this manner.

Semantics will not change the fact that this woman was a wife of his grandfather rather than his grandmother.

[trappedinnj]

"Why would a "step grandmother" not be a "real grandmother?""

Please tell me you're kidding me. In Obama's case, the "step grandmother" becomes the "real grandmother" when he's followed across the planet with a gaggle of photographers. This may not shock or offend you, but this is a pretty sad statement on his character.

AND

Not the way this (or other articles) was written, not for the casual news reader. Everyone would assume that she (the Kenyan one) is the real grandmother.

[AmishDude]

A stepfather who never raised the child and only became a stepfather after the child was grown, would not be a "real father" no.

[cricket]

How is calling her his grandmother inaccurate? I thought you were talking about the name. Why would a "step grandmother" not be a "real grandmother?" Is a step father not a real father?

Okay. . .typically the 'real' here; when 'step' is introduced; is to who was in fact; the reality in the person's life. Often it is the 'step-parent' who IS in fact; the real parent; by virtue of their presence in that child's life'; and a real parent's absence of influence. An adoptive parent is unquestionably the 'real' parent versus the 'sperm-donor'. . . In Obama's case it IS his REALl his blood Grandmother who raised him; so she earns the title on both counts. The black Grandmother is not authentically 'real' as a 'Grandmother'; as she did not even know him until recently. . .never raised him as a Grandmother; or influenced him as a Grandson'. . .

Names mean things; and so do titles; and they are earned. . .

[dleecomeback07]

Most of the time famous people when pictured with a steprelative it's identified as such.

I had 2 stepgrandmothers growing up. Was close to both of them. Called them borh Grandma Firstname. I was lucky to have 4 grandmas growing up (sadly only 1 grandfather lived past my 5th birthday)

But they were a big part of my childhood not someone I met when I was in my 20s.

[snippy_about_it]

His father married at least four women, he didn’t even meet this “grandmother” until he chose to do so for his political benefit. She happened to be one of his father’s wives.