Showing papers on "Grandparent published in 2001"
TL;DR: This paper argued that family multigenerational relations will be more important in the 21st century for three reasons: (a) the demographic changes of population aging, resulting in "longer years of shared lives" between generations; (b) the increasing importance of grandparents and other kin in fulfilling family functions; (c) the strength and resilience of intergenerational solidarity over time.
Abstract: Family relationships across several generations are becoming increasingly important in American society. They are also increasingly diverse in structure and in functions. In reply to the widely debated “family decline” hypothesis, which assumes a nuclear family model of 2 biological parents and children, I suggest that family multigenerational relations will be more important in the 21st century for 3 reasons: (a) the demographic changes of population aging, resulting in “longer years of shared lives” between generations; (b) the increasing importance of grandparents and other kin in fulfilling family functions; (c) the strength and resilience of intergenerational solidarity over time. I also indicate that family multigenerational relations are increasingly diverse because of (a) changes in family structure, involving divorce and stepfamily relationships; (b) the increased longevity of kin; (c) the diversity of intergenerational relationship “types.” Drawing on the family research legacy of Ernest W. Burgess, I frame my arguments in terms of historical family transitions and hypotheses. Research from the Longitudinal Study of Generations is presented to demonstrate the strengths of multigenerational ties over time and why it is necessary to look beyond the nuclear family when asking whether families are still functional.
1,424 citations
TL;DR: This article examined life course and sociodemographic variations in the ways grandparents are involved with grandchildren in terms of structural, functional, shared activities, and affective-cognitive aspects of these relationships.
Abstract: This study examines life course and sociodemographic variations in the ways grandparents are involved with grandchildren in terms of structural, functional, shared activities, and affective-cognitive aspects of these relationships. Family life stage, as well as grandparents' gender, marital status, race, and education, influenced how the grandparent role was enacted. Younger grandparents tended to live closer to and have greater contact with grandchildren and baby-sit and share recreational activities. Older grandparents tended to provide financial assistance and more strongly identified with the role. When their grandchildren were younger, grandparents tended to interact more with them, share more activities, provide baby-sitting, and receive more symbolic rewards from the grandparent role. Many effects related to grandchildren's age were explained by the greater opportunity of grandparents to interact with younger grandchildren. The article concludes that it is important to consider the life course posi...
246 citations
TL;DR: The prevalence and profile of grandparents providing extensive care for a grandchild and the potential impact of welfare reform legislation on extensively caregiving grandparents are determined.
Abstract: Purpose: This study sought to determine the prevalence and profile of grandparents providing extensive care for a grandchild (grandparents who provide 30 1 hours per week or 90 1 nights per year of child care, yet are not the primary caregiver of the grandchild). Design and methods: Secondary analysis of the 3,260 grandparent respondents in the 1992‐94 National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Extensively caregiving grandparents were compared with custodial grandparents (those with primary responsibility for raising a grandchild for 6 1 months), noncaregivers, occasional caregivers ( , 10 hours per week), and intermediate caregivers using chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance tests, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Close to 7% of all grandparents provided extensive caregiving, as did 14.9% of those who had provided any grandchild care in the last month. Extensive caregivers most closely resembled custodial caregivers and had least in common with those grandparents who never provided child care. Implications: Areas for future research, policy, and practice are highlighted, including the potential impact of welfare reform legislation on extensively caregiving grandparents.
217 citations
TL;DR: The circumstances faced by grandparents who become caregivers for their grandchildren are complicated and stressful as mentioned in this paper, and they acquire problem-specific coping strategies, which include taking action, talking about feelings, religious faith, focus on the grandchild, outreach to others, and some “less desirable” means.
Abstract: The circumstances faced by grandparents who become caregivers for their grandchildren are complicated and stressful. Indepth interviews were conducted with 54 grandparent caregivers (37 grandmothers and 17 grandfathers). Analysis of qualitative data involved the use of QSR NUD*IST software for organizing and coding interview transcripts. Subsets of financial, family, and legal problems specific to grandparent caregiving were identified. Grandparent caregivers acquire problem-specific coping strategies, which include taking action, talking about feelings, religious faith, focus on the grandchild, outreach to others, and some “less desirable” means. Caregiver satisfaction was related to the joys of children, the tasks of child rearing, participating in grandchildren' s activities, a new focus for life, and watching a child' s accomplishments. This study identified the need for additional research about interventions for the stress and coping responses of grandparent caregivers.
193 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of perceived stigma on perceived support availability, negative interactions, and depression was examined with 109 parents of special needs children over a 4-month period with two interviews.
Abstract: This short-term longitudinal study examined the effect of perceived stigma on perceived support availability, negative interactions, and depression. Two interviews were conducted over a 4-month period with 109 parents of special needs children. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that perceived stigma was consistently related to less perceived support availability from respondents’ parents (i.e., the child’s grandparents), more negative interactions with spouse and grandparents, and increased depressive symptomatology. Longitudinal analyses indicated that perceived stigma increased negative interactions with grandparents as well as the respondent’s depression over time. Structural equation modeling also suggested that perceived support availability of grandparents partially mediated the longitudinal relation between perceived stigma and depression. Findings highlight the need for future studies to examine the complex relation between stressor dimensions, social support processes, and mental health.
145 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRGG) is described as "Grandparents raising Grandchildren" with a focus on the relationship between parents and their children.
Abstract: (2001). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Journal of Aging & Social Policy: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 7-17.
137 citations
TL;DR: The findings suggest the physical functioning of the grandmothers is at a level that could jeopardize the quality of life with their grandchildren and that their emotional state is equal to or better than the general population.
Abstract: Many grandparents faced with the need to raise their grandchildren have health risks that could destabilize any family structure established for the child. This is especially problematic for grandparents of color who have higher health risk factors that their white counterparts. This article describes the physical and mental health status and behaviors of 100 African American grandmothers who are the primary caretakers for their grandchildren. The findings suggest the physical functioning of the grandmothers is at a level that could jeopardize the quality of life with their grandchildren. In spite of their diminished physical capacity, the grandmothers reported that their emotional state is equal to or better than the general population. Suggestions for community practice are provided.
131 citations
TL;DR: This article examined whether young adult grandchildren's reports on the closeness, importance, and satisfaction with their favorite grandparent were moderated by the gender of the grandchild, grandparent, or parent and whether these associations supported kin-keeper versus kin-selector theories of family relations.
Abstract: This study examined whether young adult grandchildren's reports on the closeness, importance, and satisfaction with their favorite grandparent were moderated by the gender of the grandchild, grandparent, or parent and whether these associations, if found, supported kin-keeper versus kin-selector theories of family relations. Participants were 206 American young adults with a favorite living grandparent. Gender was related to both the closeness and importance young adults ascribed to the relation they have with their grandparents. No effects of gender on satisfaction with the grandchild-grandparent relation were found. Stronger support for men and women as kin keepers rather than as kin selectors was found.
119 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The intervention resulted in improved mental health scores, decreased psychological distress scores, and increased social support scores and participants also experienced improvement in the level of public benefits received and in their legal relationships with their grandchildren.
Abstract: This article describes the results of an exploratory study of a multimodal, home-based intervention designed to reduce psychological stress, improve physical and mental health, and strengthen the social support and resources of grandparents raising grandchildren. The six-month intervention included home visits by registered nurses, social workers, and legal assistants; the services of an attorney; and monthly support group meetings. The intervention resulted in improved mental health scores, decreased psychological distress scores, and increased social support scores. Participants also experienced improvement in the level of public benefits received and in their legal relationships with their grandchildren. Implications of these findings for practice are highlighted.
109 citations
TL;DR: In the study parenting was found to be a source of joy and an additional challenge in an already complicated life and important new themes were family life as precious time, focused parenting, the different effects of HIV/AIDS, the parenting preparation needs of fathers, and the efforts to parent affected and infected children differently.
Abstract: Given the continual rise of HIV infection in our communities and the improved life span for many who are HIV-positive, social workers in all fields of practice have clients whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS. This article reviews relevant literature and reports on the parenting needs that emerged in a Canadian study that examined the experiences of 105 mothers and fathers living with HIV/AIDS. The majority of the children in the study were not HIV-positive. Some themes related to parenting in the literature, and evident in this study, were chronic sorrow, stress and burden, normalization, stigma, secrecy, and disclosure. In the study parenting was found to be a source of joy and an additional challenge in an already complicated life. Important new themes were family life as precious time, focused parenting, the different effects of HIV/AIDS, the parenting preparation needs of fathers, and the efforts to parent affected and infected children differently. Parenting when living with HIV/AIDS requires atte ntion from clinicians and researchers in a range of settings. Key words: children; families; health; HIV/AIDS; parenting As HIV infection continues to increase, more and more mothers and children are being infected (Hackl, Somlai, Kelly, & Kalichman, 1997; Kaplan, Marks, & Mertens, 1997; Katz, 1997). For HIV-positive mothers and fathers, coping with a lifelong and life-threatening condition is complicated by the responsibilities of parenting. With early diagnosis and access to improved treatments, parents and infected children are living longer, and fewer children born to HIV-positive mothers are becoming HIV-positive themselves. Despite these advancements there continue to be complex dynamics and needs related to the different patterns of infection within families, the uncertainty of their health and future, and the stresses of living with a highly stigmatized condition. This article reports some findings from a national study by a team of Canadian researchers to document concerns and subjective experiences of HIV-positive biological mothers and their spouses or partners. This research has been described elsewhere (Salter Goldie et al., 1997a). A purposive sample of mothers and fathers was drawn from multidisciplinary health care programs providing services to children born to HIV-positive mothers. Families in which caregivers were foster parents, adoptive parents, or grandparents were excluded. A qualitative approach was used to illuminate how these parents saw the effect of HIV within the family. Parents participated in an intensive one-to-one qualitative interview. A team of three researchers analyzed the data to identify categories and themes (Lincoln & Guba, 1985; McCracken, 1988). The sample comprised 105 parents--77 biological mothers and 28 fathers--composing 86 families. The families collectively cared for 157 children ranging in age from three months to 15 years. All 77 mothers, 22 fathers, and 17 of the children were HIV-positive. Eight additional children had died of AIDS. The majority (85.4 percent) of the children were not infected, but were affected by the presence of HIV/AIDS in their lives. Families included a cross-section of ethnic backgrounds, with nearly one-third of the parents having immigrated to Canada. Although educational levels of parents in this study were comparable to the national average (61 percent had attained grade 12), their income levels were considerably lower, highlighting the linkages between HIV/AIDS and poverty. This research is one of the largest studies of families living with HIV/ AIDS and offers an important contribution to our understanding of the experiences of mothers and fathers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Parenting was chosen as a focus for this article because a consistent theme expressed by the families interviewed was concern for their children's future. The demands of parenting when considered in relation to the many stories these families shared about stigmatization and injustices, combined with the uncertainty of their own health and future, highlight the need for professionals to better understand how to support mothers and fathers living with HIV/AIDS. …
103 citations
TL;DR: This paper found that caregiving grandmothers who played a linking role in the family and had strong ties to both other generations had greater life satisfaction than grandmothers in most other triad types.
Abstract: Grandparents raising grandchildren is a growing phenomenon born of serious parent difficulties such as drug addiction, child abuse, and neglect. This study focuses on grandmother well-being and the configuration of close relationships across an intergenerational triad consisting of grandmother, parent, and grandchild. Grandmothers who played a linking role in the family and had strong ties to both other generations had greater life satisfaction than grandmothers in most other triad types. Bradburn Affect Balance Scales showed no differences across types. There may be advantages for caregiving grandmothers to have close relationships with both younger generations even when parent-child bonds are weak.
TL;DR: This article found that Euro-American grandparents' ratings of affection for, and consensus with, their adult grandchildren have been found to be significantly greater than the grandchildren's ratings, a phenomenon known as the intergenerational stake phenomenon.
Abstract: Euro-American grandparents' ratings of affection for, and consensus with, their adult grandchildren have been found to be significantly greater than the grandchildren's ratings—a phenomenon known as the “intergenerational stake phenomenon.” However, it is unclear whether this cross-generational difference in affection and perceived consensus exists for all gender dyads and for more collectivistic ethnic groups. This study compared levels of affection and consensus for Euro-American and Mexican American grandparents and their adult grandchildren. Results revealed that Euro-American grandmothers and grandfathers have significantly greater affection for their granddaughters than their granddaughters have for them; however, this gap was not found for grandsons. Among Mexican Americans, grandsons have significantly greater affection for their grandfathers than their grandfathers have for them. Analyses of covariance revealed that when grandchildren of either ethnic group perceived themselves to be similar in a...
TL;DR: The authors explored the relationships of older men with their grandchildren with an inductive qualitative methodology, combining life course, feminist, and social constructivist approaches with an induction qualitative methodology and found that geographic proximity affected closeness and distance in grandfather-grandchild relationships; challenging family circumstances created situations in which men became more actively involved in their grandchildren's lives; and although grandfathers relied on the traditional male role discourse when describing their family roles and relationships, several transcended traditional expectations for a remote relationship with grandchildren and actively constructed loving, agentic relationships with their children.
Abstract: Combining life course, feminist, and social-constructivist approaches with an inductive qualitative methodology, the authors explored the relationships of older men with their grandchildren. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 men, ranging in age from 59 to 82, who were part of a larger sample of 45 older adult grandparents. From their analyses of the men's perceptions of their family relationships, three main themes emerged: Geographic proximity affected closeness and distance in grandfather-grandchild relationships; challenging family circumstances created situations in which men became more actively involved in their grandchildren's lives; and although grandfathers relied on the traditional male role discourse when describing their family roles and relationships, several transcended traditional expectations for a remote relationship with grandchildren and actively constructed loving, agentic relationships with their grandchildren. Grandfathers' relationships with their grandchildren were continu...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined young adult grandchildren's perceptions of affectual and consensual solidarity with their grandparents, and found that structural characteristics were more strongly associated with grandchildren's higher levels of emotional closeness and perceived intergenerational consensus.
Abstract: Increasingly, grandchildren and grandparents have opportunities to share family experiences as life expectancy of older adults increases. Along with this extension of life expectancy is the increased chance of grandparents' seeing their grandchildren grow into adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine young adult grandchildren's perceptions of affectual and consensual solidarity with their grandparents. In a convenience sample of 300 college-aged grandchildren, the results of ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analyses show that a grandparent's kin position relative to the grandchild is an important factor in grandchildren's perceptions of solidarity with their grandparents. Results also show that personal factors (demographics) alone were weak predictors. However, structural characteristics were more strongly associated with grandchildren's higher levels of emotional closeness and perceived intergenerational consensus. Future research should examine the association between intergenera...
TL;DR: Bengtson et al. as discussed by the authors conducted a qualitative study to investigate how adult children become caregivers to older parents with functional impairments and what roles their own children adopt in their family's care arrangements.
Abstract: Adopting the Caregiver Role: A Family Legacy* A qualitative study was done to investigate how adult children become caregivers to older parents with functional impairments and what roles their own children adopt in their family's care arrangements. In-depth interviews with 43 members of IS families revealed 5 influences on children and grandchildren's adoption of caregiver roles: expectations, family rules, religious training, role modeling and role making. Further analysis of families with grandchild participants showed considerable variation both between and within families in how and what kinds of eldercare roles were adopted. These results can be used by family life educators interested in creating parent-care education programs. Key Words: caregiving, elder care, family rules, intergenerational relations, role mod-- els. With projected increases in North America's population of older adults, it is likely that more assistance than ever before will be provided to frail or ill older persons. Despite persistent myths that families abandon their aged relatives to nursing home and other care facilities (Bengtson, Rosenthal, & Burton, 1996), reviews of research findings show that family members provide the majority of assistance needed by their dependent elders (Abel, 1990; Dwyer, 1995). Furthermore, several studies have found that adult children express high levels of agreement with attitudes of obligation to parents (Finley, Roberts, & Banahan, 1988; Lawton, Silverstein, & Bengtson, 1994; Rossi & Rossi, 1990). Thus, many adult children are willing to provide assistance to their parents as their needs for such help become apparent. Although families are willing to care for older members, it is less clear how their members adopt the caregiver role. Shanas (1980) observed that neither older adults nor their adult children had been socialized to cope well with issues related to increased longevity and declining functional ability. Need for socialization to the caregiver role is evidenced by the proliferation of selfhelp books for caregivers (Lustbader & Hooyman, 1994; Morris, 1996) and Internet sites that give information and advice to persons caring for aged parents (Elderpaths, http://elderpaths.com/ index.phtml; Extendedcare.com, http://extendedcare.com; Family Caregiver Alliance, http://www.caregiver.org). Despite these efforts to better educate family caregivers, we know little about how adult children adopt caregiver roles. An understanding of how adults come to embrace the caregiver role may be useful in developing ways to encourage future generations to care for their parents and older family members. To that end, the purpose of the study reported here was to explore how families adopt caregiving responsibilities for their elderly parents or grandparents living at home. Inclusion of adult grandchildren in this study enabled us to examine the extent to which they also accept caregiving responsibilities for older generations of family and what influences their involvement with grandparent care. With few exceptions (Pyke & Bengtson, 1996), adult grandchildren rarely have been studied in investigations of eldercare. This study is informed by social learning and symbolic interaction theories. Social learning theorists posit that people learn new expectations and behaviors by observing the behavior of others and the consequences of that behavior. They then perform that behavior with the expectation of similar consequences (Bandura, 1977). Although negative consequences of parent caresuch as stress, burden, and depression-are well documented, (Aneshensel, Pearlin, Mullan, Zarit, & Whitlatch, 1995; Schulz, Visintainer, & Williamson, 1990), caregivers have reported positive consequences from their experiences, such as closer relationships with the care recipient (Allen & Walker, 1992; Conger & Marshall, 1998; Horowitz & Shindelman, 1983; Walker, Shin, & Bird, 1990), personal growth (Farran, Keane-Hagerty, Salloway, Kupferer, & Wilken, 1991), and an opportunity to reciprocate care given to them as children (Piercy, 1996). …
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Providing extensive care for a grandchild was associated with elevated levels of depression and physicians should be alert to family role changes and symptoms of depression in their older patients.
Abstract: Objective to compare the physical, mental, and functional health status of grandparents providing extensive care to grandchildren (30+ hours per week or 90+ nights per year) with that of custodial grandparents, noncaregivers, and two categories of less intensive care providers. Methods Data on a subsample of 3260 respondents to the National Survey of Families and Households who reported being grandparents during the 1992 to 1994 interviews were analyzed. Chi-square tests, 1-way ANOVAs, and multiple regression analyses compared self-reported functional health limitations, depressive symptoms, and change in self-reported health status and depression for extensive caregivers (223), custodial grandparents (173), and 3 other types of grandparents providing less or no child care. Results Extensive caregivers had levels of depressive symptoms comparable to those of custodial caregivers and significantly higher than those of noncaregivers and less intense care providers. One in 5 extensive caregivers had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms. Two out of every 5 extensive caregivers had at least 1 limitation in activities of daily living. Conclusions Providing extensive care for a grandchild was associated with elevated levels of depression. Physicians should be alert to family role changes and symptoms of depression in their older patients.
TL;DR: Girls’ nutrition was associated with the size of their patrilineage and the number of non-relatives in the village, suggesting that lineage politics may have played a role, and boys with access to more paternal investment were better nourished.
Abstract: The 1998 El Nino significantly reduced garden productivity in the Upper Orinoco region in Venezuela. Consequently, parents were forced to allocate food carefully to their children. Nutrition data collected from village children combined with genealogical data allowed the determination of which children suffered most, and whether the patterns of food distribution accorded with predictions from parental investment theory. For boys, three social variables accounted for over 70% of the variance in subcutaneous fat after controlling for age: number of siblings, age of the mother's youngest child, and whether the mother was the senior or junior co-wife, or was married monogamously. These results accord well with parental investment theory. Parents experiencing food stress faced a trade-off between quantity and quality, and between investing in younger versus older offspring. In addition, boys with access to more paternal investment (i.e. no stepmother) were better nourished. These variables did not account for any of the variance in female nutrition. Girls' nutrition was associated with the size of their patrilineage and the number of non-relatives in the village, suggesting that lineage politics may have played a role. An apparent lack of relationship between orphan status and nutrition is also interesting, given that orphans suffered high rates of skin flea infections. The large number of orphans being cared for by only two grandparents suggests that grooming time may have been the resource in short supply.
TL;DR: Examination of parental perceptions of the importance of grandparents as providers of routine care to children with disabilities and the impact of such assistance on parental well-being suggests grandparent participation can promote pride and “normalized attitudes” by helping grandparents to get to know the child with a disability on an intimate basis.
Abstract: This study examines parental perceptions of the importance of grandparents as providers of routine care to children with disabilities and the impact of such assistance on parental well-being. Data are drawn from a survey and follow-up interactive interviews. Findings of the survey indicate that: 1) grandparents are a common source of weekly assistance-significantly more common than other relatives or friends and neighbors; 2) where grandparents participate, the number of other sources of support is also higher; and 3) help from grandparents has a positive, while the number of other sources of help has a negative, relationship to parental ability to maintain a positive emotional outlook and to avoid physical exhaustion. Findings of the interactive interviews suggest that: 1) grandparent participation can promote pride and "normalized attitudes" by helping grandparents to get to know the child with a disability on an intimate basis; 2) when grandparents do not participate, parents may feel the need to manage the information given to and the emotional responses experienced by grandparents who have not had a chance to get know and love the child through frequent, direct contact; and 3) parents are very concerned that if grandparents themselves begin to need help due to increased age and disability, they will not ask for it because of fear that parents are already overburdened by the unusual demands of their parenting roles.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored what factors in emotionally abused children's environments might be important in helping them cope with their abusive childhoods and found that the non-abusing parent did not feature as one of these factors.
Abstract: Emotional abuse, even when it is the sole form of abuse, can be psychologically harmful, but there are a number of internal and environmental factors that may protect children from ultimate damage. External factors are of importance to practitioners because they are more amenable to positive change through intervention. The objective of the research was to explore what factors in emotionally abused children’s environments might be important in helping them cope with their abusive childhoods. The method of inquiry was through in-depth, unstructured interviews with 14 adults who had survived significant emotional abuse in childhood. Although a number of external factors was identified by the interviewees, the non-abusing parent did not feature as one of these factors. Other family members, including siblings, grandparents and, particularly aunts, provided support to the majority of interviewees. Friends, teachers and other professionals were all helpful, while religious groups had a positive role for some. ...
TL;DR: Using measures of closeness and an established typology of grandparent-grandchild relationship style, the study finds that grandparents perceive their relationship with their grandchildren to be considerably closer than their grandchildren perceive the relationship.
Abstract: This paper examines the intergenerational stake hypothesis in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The hypothesis predicts that older generations will perceive more closeness in a relationship than younger generations. Grandparent-grandchild dyads are surveyed concerning various aspects of their relationship. Using measures of closeness and an established typology of grandparent-grandchild relationship style (Cherlin & Furstenberg, 1985), the study finds that grandparents perceive their relationship with their grandchildren to be considerably closer than their grandchildren perceive the relationship. However, their grandchildren perceive the relationship to be more active than their grandparents do. Explanations of these findings consistent with the intergenerational stake hypothesis are advanced. It is found that the two parties often disagree as to the nature of their relationship on the Cherlin and Furstenberg typology. Details of these disagreements are examined in detail, and implications for the grandparent-grandchild relationship are discussed.
01 Jun 2001
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address the complexities of intergenerational relationships in late life, including reasons that the parent-child tie is an important repository for intimacy, the characteristics of intimacy between parents and children in late-life, and factors that may enhance or hinder this intimacy.
Abstract: In intergenerational relationships, a paradox. We used to be closer." "He's too busy to spend as much time with me as I wish: "We talk a lot, but never about our personal problems." Such statements might seem to come from people who experience little intimacy in the relationships they describe. Yet, these parents and offspring actually share a deep and rich sense of understanding. Throughout adulthood, members of different generations separate and establish stronger boundaries, and, still, their relationships grow closer. Intergenerational ties introduce the paradox of a distant intimacy. Parents and adult offspring report strong ties (Antonucci and Akiyama, 1987). Yet, this closeness involves psychological distance. For example, as offspring pass through early and middle adulthood, their relationships with their parents tend to improve (Hagestad, 1987; Umberson, 1992), and during this same period, parents and children also report an increasing sense of the other party as a unique individual with flaws, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities (Blenkner,1963; Labouvie-Vief et al.,1995; Birditt et al., 2000). Although in other relationships, recognition of the other party as an individual might lead to greater self-disclosure and mutuality, the sense of one's parent or child as an individual adult like oneself leads to a decrease in these typical markers of intimacy. Rather, in strong intergenerational ties, each party realizes that the other party has different needs and limitations requiring a new degree of distance. Parents cease to try to direct their children's affairs, and children seek to protect their parents from worry. In this case, distance improves the relationship and can be said to serve as a bridge to a different kind of intimacy. As adults age, their relationships with individuals from other generations become increasingly important. Many elderly adults are widowed, divorced, or single; some 40 percent of men and 80 percent of women over age 75 have no spouse (Administration on Aging, 2000). For these older adults, a grown child may be the primary social contact (Fingerman,1996). Intimacy in this tie shapes the older adults sense of social embeddedness and enhances well-being. This paper addresses the complexities of intimacy between parents and children in late life, including reasons that the parent-child tie is an important repository for intimacy, the characteristics of intimacy between parents and children in late life, and factors that may enhance or hinder this intimacy. Also included are tips for understanding intimacy between parents and offspring from a clinical perspective. INTERGENERATIONAL TIES Although the term generation can be used to describe people who were born during a specific time period, here, the term refers to relatives who are on the same rung of the family ladder. Parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and nephews, parents-in-law, and children-in-law are separate generations; sisters and brothers, husbands and wives, and first cousins are not. Older adults possess an array of intergenerational ties. Sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, and partners and former partners of off-spring may play an important role in an older adult's life. Certain relationships, however, lend themselves more readily to intimacy. Intergenerational ties vary based on the number of links between an older adult and a relative. A relationship with a child involves a single or direct link, whereas a relationship with a niece does not. The older adult is linked to a niece through a sibling, to a daughter-in-law through a son, and so forth. Relationships that are indirectly linked implicitly involve a third person and tend to be less insular than relationships that are directly linked. Of course, there is a degree of individual preference in the matter; one older adult may share a deep bond with a nephew, another may share an intimate tie with a grandchild. …
TL;DR: The issues related to language and culture teaching and learning in Australia across all levels of state-funded education have continuously centred around the sociocultural and linguistic aspirations for maintenance of primarily immigrant parents and their children as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The issues related to language and culture teaching and learning in Australia across all levels of state-funded education have continuously centred around the sociocultural and linguistic aspirations for maintenance of primarily immigrant parents and their children. However, the equally important aspirations of the Australian-born parents for their own children, the grandchildren of immigrant grandparents, are seldom examined by researchers and education specialists. In this study, parents of Hellenic background, born and educated in Australia, share their current self-defined, bilingual and bicultural aspirations for the cultural and linguistic future of their children. Their views and opinions reflect their personal interactions and negotiations with the ever-changing sociocultural, sociopolitical, and socioeconomic contexts of the funding state that constantly regulates all opportunities for languages/cultures education in schools within the continuously evolving federal agenda on 'multicultural' polic...
TL;DR: In this article, the focus of a study was to gather information to generate new insights about how granddaughters were affected when their grandmothers had Alzheimer's disease, including problems with social interaction and feelings of embarrassment due to the grandmothers' behavior.
Abstract: When a parent assumes the caregiving responsibilities of someone with Alzheimer's disease, the relationships between family members, as well as the family roles, may be altered. The caregiving role is generally assumed by the female within the home; a daughter or daughter in-law. The children of the caregivers are affected as their mother becomes involved with the caregiving responsibility of their grandparents with Alzheimer's. The leisure patterns of the family are affected as the grandparent's behavior and daily care affect the everyday routines of the family. The focus of this research was to gather information to generate new insights about how granddaughters were affected when their grandmothers had Alzheimer's disease. Information was collected by interviewing six granddaughters. The themes that emerged from the granddaughters' stories included problems with social interaction and feelings of embarrassment due to the grandmothers' behavior. Stress and tension, feelings of guilt, feelings o...
TL;DR: This paper examined the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren and found that 60% of the grandparents had frequent contact with their grandchildren and a significant proportion of them provided assistance by giving advice, preparing meals, and baby-sitting.
Abstract: Current social and demographic changes have drawn attention to the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. This research examined grandparents and grandparenting in a rural southern state. One hundred fifty-eight grandparents were interviewed by telephone regarding their roles and relationships with their grandchildren and others along with the impact grandparenting had on their other activities. Results indicate that 60% of the sample had frequent contact with their grandchildren. A significant proportion of the grandparents indicated that they provide assistance by giving advice, preparing meals, and baby-sitting. Additionally, grandparents indicated that providing care does not interfere with their other activities. Discussion focuses on the need to understand grandparent-grandchild relationships and the factors that influence them across time, particularly as the grandchildren become adults.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarized major issues for grandparents raising grandchildren and discussed how professionals can apply general practice principles to their work with this population, and concluded that the information on practice strategies has not been compiled into one source that cuts across disciplines.
Abstract: In the last two decades, there has been a notable increase in the number of families in which grandparents are raising grandchildren. During the same time frame, academic journals representing a number of family-focused disciplines have published articles on the situation of these grandparents. Many of these articles include implications for family life educators and other family professionals. However, the information on practice strategies has not been compiled into one source that cuts across disciplines. This article both summarizes major issues for grandparents raising grandchildren and discusses how professionals can apply general practice principles to their work with this population.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the portrayal of grandparents in children's literature and find that positive grandparent characteristics such as independence and happiness were depicted in a majority of the books the authors examined.
Abstract: Children's books have the potential to affect cultural norms and attitudes about older adults in many ways. The purpose of this study was to investigate the portrayal of grandparents in children's literature. Sixty-four children's books published since 1985 were randomly selected and content analyzed. In general, there was an overwhelming positive portrayal of grandparents in these books. Positive grandparent characteristics such as independence and happiness were depicted in a majority of the books the authors examined. Other characteristics such as wisdom and understanding were portrayed in slightly less than a majority of the stories. Although some of the stories depicted grandparents with various disabilities, physical impairment did not detract from the positive depiction of the grandparent. Future research might investigate the variance in the portrayal of grandparents along racial/ethnic and gender lines. For example, how are grandparents from various demographic groups portrayed in terms of status...
TL;DR: As the demographics of aging change in the United States, the number of persons over the age of 65 will continue to grow and by 2030, one in every five persons will be over the Age of 65.
Abstract: Summary As the demographics of aging change in the United States, the number of persons over the age of 65 will continue to grow. By 2030, one in every five persons will be over the age of 65. Several factors are important when considering the reality of these demographic changes. First, successful aging, given new medical technologies, is more probable today than it was for our parents and grandparents. Second, the range of diverse populations within the aging communities has become recognized. Third, generational differences impact who cares for the elderly. Fourth, baby boomers, who will soon turn 65, will likely have a huge impact on society. And lastly, spiritual matters are important as we approach and enter old age.
TL;DR: This paper examined the correlates of grandparent-grandchild coresidency in 1998, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) and found that older, less educated, much younger at the time of the birth of their first child, and 2 to 4 times as likely to be female, single, Black, poor and unemployed.
Abstract: This article examined correlates of grandparent-grandchild coresidency in 1998, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Among parents 40 years of age or younger in 1998 (N = 5,019), 107 reported grandchildren in the same households. Compared with other parents, coresident grandparents were older, less educated, much younger at the time of the birth of their first child, and 2 to 4 times as likely to be female, single, Black, poor, and unemployed. The majority (81.3%) of coresident grandparents had one grandchild living with them. Only 5.5% lived in skipped-generation households.
TL;DR: In this paper, a pilot study examined the meaning attributed to the grandparent role by grandparents and grandchildren of healthy and demented elderly persons, finding that more importance was attributed to attitudinal and behavioral aspects by demented grandparents and their grandchildren.
Abstract: This pilot study examined the meaning attributed to the grandparent role by grandparents and grandchildren of healthy and demented elderly persons. Forty community-dwelling grandparents (28 healthy and 12 diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease) and their grandchildren were interviewed about perceptions regarding aspects of the grandparent role. Less importance was attributed to the attitudinal and behavioral aspects by demented grandparents and their grandchildren. No differences were found in the symbolic and emotional aspects. Higher concordance was found between the scores reported by healthy grandparents and their grandchildren than for demented grandparents and their grandchildren. Geographical closeness was associated to the meaning attributed to the role by the healthy group. Quality of the relationship was associated to higher scores in the behavioral aspect. Clinical implications are discussed.