Grandparents Becoming Parents All Over Again

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Grandparents Becoming Parents All Over Again

Christine Phillip
BET.com Staff Writer
October 20, 2003

With an increasing number of Black and Native American parents in jail or strung out on drugs, more and more children are calling their grandmothers mama.

About 52 percent of Black grandparents, and 56 percent of Indian grandparents say they are the main caregivers for their grandchildren, according to a new Census Bureau report. Forty-three percent of White grandparents, 35 percent of Hispanic grandparents, and 20 percent Asian grandparents reported being the primary caregiver.

The grandparents, according to Census, typically are between 40 and 59 years of age and often find themselves juggling parenting and work. They are also likely to need help themselves, considering that 19 percent live in poverty. In contrast, 14 percent of other families with children are impoverished, Census says.

A bill approved this week by a Senate panel would help care-giving grandparents pay for housing. A second bill would allow states to use federal funds to aid grandparents and other relatives who serve as guardians.
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Should federal funds be used to support grandparents caring for their grandchildren? Please partake in the poll.

LadyK

Unfortunately, these grandparents are all these kids have. They need the funding to provide for their children. I see these kind of grandparents all the time. Here's some elderly/older couple taking care of a kid that might be under 5 years old because their child has some kind of addiction. Many times the parents just don't want to be involved in the child's life. Is that fair, no??? Maybe the state governments can fine the parents for a support order?

admin

I also agree that some form of assistance could be rendered if absolutely needed. It's better to have caring grandparents try their best to raise their grandchildren than having them end up in foster homes with strangers whom the government would assist financially anyway; or in the worst case scenarios, without adult supervision these children could end up in juvenille homes or jail in which case the government would still pick up the tab.

Also, the grandparents may find it easier to take on the challenges because of their blood-link as opposed to 'some' stranger who may or may not be doing so for altruistic reasons. Some people foster children for financial gain only. We only hear the horror stories after they have been exposed.

The grandparents shouldn't become dependent on any such assistance, but should consider it a lifeline to help ease the burdens the absent, dead or irresponsible parents have thrust on them. Younger grandparents might be able to cope easier, but elderly ones would find it more difficult, worse so if the chilldren are problematic with behaviour issues, physical limitations, health issues or psychological traumas.

Cxsm