Grandparents Resuming the Role of Parents
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Grandparents resuming the role of parents of young children is a growing phenomenon today, with grandparents raising their grandchildren in the absence of the biological parents. Although many grandparents have always informally cared for their grandchildren, the number of grandparents as primary caregivers has increased. Since 1970, the number of grandparents raising their grandchildren has almost doubled. In the 1990s, ôthe number of grandparent maintained households increased by 19 percent from 2,051,000 in 1990 to 2,444,000 in 1997ö (Bryson & Casper 1). The 2000 U.S. Census reported that there are more than 6 million children in the United States who live in grandparent, and other relative, maintained households. About 2.4 million grandparent caregivers are responsible for meeting their grandchildrenÆs basic needs. The March 2000 Current Population Survey revealed that about 4.5 million children under the age of 18 live in grandparent-maintained households, an increase of more than 50% since 1990. The majority of grandparents care for their grandchildren for more than a year, with 33 percent caring for them five or more years; for some grandparents their new role is a permanent one (Generations United). During the last decade of the 20th Century, ôchild welfare agencies have become increasingly reliant on relatives as the first option when a foster care placement is neededö (The State of AmericaÆs Children Yearbook). While grandparents acting as primary caregivers keep
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positive relationship with their own children (the birth parents).ö Many grandparents also grieve over their dead daughters or sons, or their ôemotional death.ö Some grandparents also ôfeel deprived of a normal relationship with their grandchildren.ö Many parenting grandparents feel ôangry, embarrassed, guilty and frustratedàand ôwonder whether they are to blame for their childrenÆs behaviorsà. They feel ambivalence toward both their children and their grandchildren whom they love, on the one hand, and resent, on the otherö (The Changing Family).
Not all grandparents face the same difficulties with their new caregiver role, and some people have better coping strategies than others. Also, not all face financial hardship. Many find benefits in their new role as well as problems. Some research indicates that many caregiver parents report experiencing a greater purpose for living; providing care to their grandchildren makes them feel young and an active part of life again. Some grandparents also welcome the opportunity to raise a child differently the second time around. In addition, they appreciate the increased companionship and love from their grandchildren (MPEN Update).
A number of grandparents rearing their grandchildre
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Approximate Word count = 2041
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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