OTHER FAMILY PLAYERS:
BEYOND THE NUCLEAR CAST

We have thus far focused on the primary family role players in white middle class families: mother, father, children, siblings, grandparents, and the step-parents. And yet, there are 105 different familial relationships for which Hallmark makes cards, like for cousin birthdays Mother-in-Law Day acknowledgements. Here let's look at the rest of the family cast of players. Sample issues and topics:


IMPLICATIONS OF 3 OR MORE GENERATIONS ALIVE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Owing to the longevity revolution, there are four, five, and even six consanguial generations alive simultaneously. A few years ago the Austin American Statesman included the story of those awaiting Meghan Anne Ryan's entry into the world. She was greeted by two grandmothers, four great-grandmothers, a great-grandfather, a great-great-grandmother, and a great-great-great-grandmother.

The longevity revolution will have increasing impacts upon family systems. Among the challenges posed:

Answers: The Magazine for Children of Aging Parents
Eldercare


AMERICANS' ATTITUDES TOWARD WHETHER
IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR OLDER PEOPLE TO SHARE A HOME
WITH THEIR GROWN CHILDREN


GRANDPARENTS AND THE GREATS

Tamara Hareven observed that "the opportunity for a meaningful period of overlap in the lives of grandparents and grandchildren is a 20th century phenomenon" (1977:62). According to Dr. Arnold Kornhaber, co-author of Grandparents-Grandchildren: The Vital Connection, the grandparent-grandchild bond is second only in emotional importance to the bond between parents and children. Approximately 70 percent of older Americans are grandparents.

According to an AARP survey released in late 1999 (for pdf copy of complete report click here), 31% of adults are grandparents.  One of nine grandparents is a caregiver for a grandchild. Of those not living  with their grandkids, almost 7 in 10 see a grandchild at least monthly-- 44% see one at least once a week. 

Among the questions asked in the 1990 NORC General Social Surveys was the following series of questions:

Many adults play roles in the lives of children. Please rate the following as very good (scored 1), good (2), fairly good (3), fairly bad (4), or very bad (5): mothers (mean score=1.59), fathers (1.84), grandparents (1.72), clergy (2.07), teachers (2.24), child-care providers (2.52).

The superior score given to grandparents as opposed to fathers is interesting. Below are the mean scores given to various family members by permutations of sex and race:

ROLE MA ROLE PA ROLE GPARS
WHITE MALES 1.58 1.81 1.77
BLACK MALES 1.50 1.77 1.49
WHITE FEMALES 1.62 1.84 1.72
BLACK FEMALES 1.54 2.00 1.57
National Aging Information Center's "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" page

Demographic characteristics of grandparents and grandchildren from the U.S. Census

Family Relations from Penn State: Grandparents, brothers and sisters

Third Age's Grandparenting: The Essential Sites

Joyce Post (Administration on Aging), family relationships and grandparenting sites

Grandparent Caregivers: A National Guide (legal resources)

Comparison of Grandparent Visitation Statutes Nationwide (from AARP)

Grandparents Homepage

Foundation for Grandparenting (Santa Fe, NM), including page on stepgrandparenting


GODPARENTS AND SURROGATE KIN

"The Godparent: A Job Description" from the Anglican church

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