Black Grandmothers in Multigenerational Households: Diversity in Family Structure and Parenting Involvement in the Woodlawn Community

Abstract

We report here the frequency of black grandmothers' coresidence in households with first-grade children, their patterns of involvement in parenting, and the degree to which family structure and employment affected the grandmothers' parenting involvement in a 1966/1967 community-defined population. Coresidence between grandmothers and their target first-grade grandchildren was found in 10% of the households. The 130 grandmothers' parenting involvement was substantial, second only to mother involvement, and was characterized by 2 parenting activity patterns: control and punishment, and support and punishment. The degree of grandmothers' parenting involvement differed by family structure, with grandmothers in mother-absent homes most likely to be involved. Grandmothers' employment did not moderate their engagement in parenting behaviors. These findings are consistent with previous reports of significant parenting involvement by black extended family members.

African American adolescent mothers and grandmothers: A multigenerational approach to parenting

“…Approximately two-thirds of both samples endorsed shared caregiving, illustrating that this is a common pattern of parenting among African American adolescent mothers and grandmothers (Pearson, Hunger, Cook, Ialongo, & Kellam, 1997;Pearson, Hunger, Ensminger, & Kellam, 1990). In the present study, mothers were more likely than grandmothers to report full caregiving responsibilities, perhaps reflecting their desire to be independent parents.…”

Adolescent and adult low‐income mothers: How do needs and resources differ?

“…Whereas African American teen mothers were more likely than European American teen mothers to live with grandparental figures, European Americans were more likely than African Americans to be married or living with a partner. Past research~e.g., Apfel & Seitz, 1991;Burton, 1990;Hogan, Hao, & Parish, 1990;Pearson, Hunter, Ensminger, & Kellam, 1990! has suggested that intergenerational support is of particular importance for young African American mothers.…”

Children's Socialization Experiences and Functioning in Single‐Mother Households: The Importance of Fathers and Other Men

“…In recent years, however, researchers from various theoretical perspectives are contributing to a growing literature on children's and adolescents' social relationships with nonmaternal adults (Cochran, Larner, Riley, Gunnarsson, & Henderson, 1990;Cohen, 1993;King, 1994;Pearson, Hunter, Ensminger, & Kellam, 1990;King, 1994;Taylor, 1996). Concern with children's relationships with fathers and other nonmaternal adults is especially relevant for children residing in unmarried-mother households.…”