Grandmother Involvement in Mexican American Families

Abstract

Grandmothers often provide support for Mexican-origin mothers and young children. The factors influencing grandmother involvement, and the implications of this involvement for maternal well-being, particularly in the context of transborder family relationships, remain largely unexplored. This study considers the extent to which maternal, child, and intergenerational factors are linked with levels of grandmother involvement, and in turn grandmother involvement is associated with maternal psychological distress among an American community sample of 78 Mexican-origin families, for which over one third of grandmothers live in Mexico. Findings suggest that mother reported grandmother involvement is higher when children are temperamentally difficult, mothers perceive overall high-quality mothergrandmother relationships, and grandmothers live in the United States.

First‐generation migrants become grandparents: how migration backgrounds affect intergenerational relationships

“…Every year he waits until he is sure 'that everything is organized from [his kids'] side, that they are not going to miss [them]' in Luxembourg, to then go to Portugal. As highlighted by other studies, the involvement of grandparents in childcare may be highly relevant for family functioning, with grandparents likely to respond to the needs of the younger generations (Barnett et al 2016). Moreover, Francisco's example also highlights that 'caring for immigrants' families can require older relations to set aside their preferences, to sacrifice their leisure' (Treas and Mazumdar 2004: 118) and postpone their return plans.…”

“…Transnational grandparents have been shown to occupy a central place in transnational families. Although family characteristics such as gender, age, quality of ties, socioeconomic status and other contextual circumstances like migration regimes regulate their involvement, by responding to the needs of their children and grandchildren they are actively influencing family functioning (Barnett et al 2016). Grandparents who are also first-generation migrants constitute a multifaceted group with a wide range of migration practices and life-course experiences.…”

“…Studies on zero-generation grandparents highlight that their support is greatest during early childhood, when childcare is more intensive, and parents face difficulties in coping with work and parenthood (Barnett et al 2016). Thus, the zero-generation grandparents might be able to move back home when their grandchildren are old enough to care for themselves (King et al 2014;Treas 2008).…”

Midlife transitions.

“…Reflecting women's socially constructed role as kinkeeper, affectional ties across generations are stronger for women than men. As one example, maternal grandparents are more involved with their grandchildren than paternal grandparents (Barnett, Mortensen, & Gonzalez, 2016). In some areas of the world, having a maternal grandmother literally means the difference between life and death.…”