Facts about children being raised by grandparents

The phenomenon of grandparents and other relatives raising children is not new. However, the number of children being raised by someone other than a parent has increased dramatically over the last 25 years.

In 1998 over 3.9 million children under the age of 18 were being cared for by a grandparent with or without a parent present in the home. [U.S. Census 1998 Current Population Survey]

Over 2 million children are being raised solely by their grandparents or other relatives. [U.S. Census, March 1997 Population Survey]

FACTORS contributing to the growing number of grandparents raising grandchildren include:

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Neglect, Abuse, and Abandonment
• Death of a Parent
• HIV/AIDS
• Divorce
• Unemployment / Poverty
• Parental Incarceration
• Teen Pregnancy
• Welfare Reform

ETHNIC GROUPS:
43.6% of Caucasian children (1.7 million) live in grandparent-headed households.
35.9% of African-American children (1.4 million) live in grandparent-headed households.
18% of Hispanic children (701,000) live in grandparent-headed households.

[U.S. Census, 1998 Current Population Survey]

INCOME:
The median family income is between $18,00 - $25,000.

In 1997, 27% of children living in grandparent-headed households were impoverished.

[Casper, L.M. & Bryson, K.R. (1998). Grandparents and Their Grandchildren: Grandparent Maintained Families. Population Division Working Series #26 Washington, DC: U.S. Bureau of the Census]

Grandparent caregivers are 60% more likely to live in poverty than are grandparents not raising their grandchildren.

[Fuller-Thompson, E., Minkler M and Driver, D. (1997). A profile of grandparents raising grandchildren in the United States. The Gerontologist 37, (3), 406-411]

AGE:
The median age of a grandparent is 57. [U.S. Census, 1996]

Issues

Housing:
Grandparents and other relatives often begin caring for children with little or no warning or preparation. They may have difficulty accommodating children in their current residences for the following reasons:

• The residence may be too small;
• Those who live in senior housing that excludes children may face eviction;
• Those who live in unsafe neighborhoods may be unable to relocate due to afford ability;
• The presence of children may violate lease agreements;
• Residences may have safety hazards;
• If caregivers have disabilities, relocation may be an issue;
• Residences may not accommodate children with disabilities; and/or
• Relocation may be an issue regarding school enrollment.

School Enrollment:
School policies may pose obstacles for relative headed families. Some of these obstacles include:

• Inability to enroll children without proof of legal guardianship;
• Charge of additional fees for out of district enrollment;
• Ineligibility of children with special needs for an individual education plan; and/or
• Lack of access to progress reports, education plans and school records due to "informal custodial" arrangements.

Legal:
Many relatives provide care for children without legal custody or guardianship. Litigation is costly. Many legal assistance agencies do not litigate family law cases. Many relatives do not pursue custody or guardianship for financial reasons or out of fear of angering the parent(s) and losing their relationship with the child(ren). Without legal custody or guardianship the relative caregiver may have difficulty enrolling the child in school, obtaining medical information or treatment, or accessing benefits for the child.

Health:
The stress of caring for children can be overwhelming, especially if the caregivers are older or dealing with personal health problems. Many children suffer from severe physical, emotional and behavioral problems which make caregiving difficult. Contributing factors include:

• Prenatal drug or alcohol exposure;
• Sexual and/or physical abuse; and/or
• Feelings of abandonment causing emotional and behavioral problems.

Respite Care:
Relative caregivers provide stability and permanence for children, often without extended family or community support. They have stepped forward to care for children whose own parents are unable or unwilling to do so – often at tremendous personal sacrifice. Respite care is either unaffordable or non-existent. Since many of these children suffer from emotional, behavioral, and physical problems, relatives are reluctant to leave them in the care of others who may not have the expertise to deal with physical or behavioral problems. Their peers do not understand why they have taken on this responsibility. They can no longer enjoy or sometimes afford to do things socially. The support system is not there and caregivers are isolated. Respite care is vital in strengthening the family, preventing abuse, and supporting the efforts of caregivers.

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