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Title: Co-resident Grandparent Caring for Grandchildren: Variations by Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Family Structure

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2016

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Abstract: The number of grandparents caring for grandchildren experienced substantial growth following the last economic recession. Using data from the American Community Survey, we evaluate differences in the odds that coresident grandparents assume primary responsibility for grandchildren by race, gender, and family structure. Results indicate that African American and Native American grandparents are more likely to assume primary responsibility for grandchildren. However the difference between whites and Blacks, and part of the difference between whites and Native Americans is explained by variations in family structure, given their higher rates of absent parents. Economic hardship was also associated with higher odds of being primary caretakers. This finding attests to the importance of grandparents as caretakers for disadvantaged grandchildren. Coresident grandmothers are more likely than grandfathers to be primary caretakers, especially when mothers are absent. Family structure is the most significant factor explaining racial differences in the odds of becoming primary caretakers.

Url: https://paa.confex.com/paa/2016/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/8233

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Authors: Florian, Sandra M; Casper, Lynne M

Conference Name: PAA 2016

Publisher Location: Washingon, D.C.

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Race and Ethnicity

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