In the United States, about 8 million children live with grandparents or other relatives. Of these, 2.65 million live in “skipped-generation” homes without their biological parents. However, these figures may not capture the full extent of the issue. Many “grandfamilies,” as they’re called, are not doing so formally through the foster care or child welfare system, so they go underreported.
Barriers Faced by Grandparents
Federal law requires states to consider relatives first when placing children. However, it’s estimated only 5 percent of children being cared for by grandparents are registered with foster care.
Often, grandparents resist formally registering their fostering because it may require legal action against the parents, which could involve the unpleasant task of proving negligence. Also, the state may insist on child support payments from parents already struggling to make ends meet.
In some cases, grandparents may fear being deemed unfit due to physical impairment or inadequate circumstances. Sometimes, homing children may violate the grandparents’ lease agreements if they live in a seniors-only community.
However, many grandparents aren’t aware that as formal foster parents, they’d be entitled to financial assistance for clothing, schooling, and medical expenses.
Grandparent Demographics
Custodial grandparents are not a homogenous group, but they’re more likely to be single females under 60 years old who are less educated. According to the US Census Bureau, most custodial grandparents are still working, but about 19 percent live below the poverty line. The intersection of these demographic characteristics places grandfamilies at greater risk of marginalization and adverse life circumstances.
Children Can Be Vulnerable
Children in these circumstances can face a range of vulnerabilities. Some potential factors include:
- Lack of financial resources: Grandparents who take on caregiving responsibilities may face financial strain, especially if they are retired or on fixed incomes. This can impact their ability to provide for the children’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and health care.
- Lack of formal recognition: Grandparents who are not formally recognized as guardians may struggle to enroll children in school.
- Lack of supervision: Grandparents may face challenges in monitoring and supervising the children adequately, particularly if they have health issues or are unprepared for the demands of raising young children. This can potentially expose children to safety risks or inadequate care.
- Emotional and psychological challenges: Children who have experienced parental substance abuse or mental health problems may have emotional and behavioral difficulties. Grandparents will require additional support in addressing these challenges and providing the necessary emotional stability for the children.
- Contextual stressors of societal stigma: Children may feel isolated from their peers who are cared for by their biological parents in environments that don’t cater to grandfamilies. They may also have difficulties navigating relationships with parents who are not living in the home.
- Potential role reversal: In some cases, children may be thrust into caregiving roles for their grandparents, who may have health or mental health issues. This role reversal can disrupt the child’s normal development and place additional burdens on them.
The Connection between Intergenerational Trauma and Homelessness
Homelessness statistics don’t typically account for the effect on children with homeless biological parents. While residing with grandparents or other relatives may be the next best option, it potentially creates a dangerous cycle. Studies show the majority of mothers experiencing homelessness have a history of trauma. Such experiences impact their ability to parent and provide stability for their children. The result is that their children are exposed to trauma, and they, in turn, become more likely to experience homelessness.
Addressing the needs of children being raised by grandparents due to substance abuse and mental health problems requires a multifaceted approach. It involves providing financial assistance, access to healthcare services, mental health support for both the children and their grandparents, and resources to ensure the children receive proper education and guidance. Additionally, community support systems and programs can play a crucial role in receiving assistance and reducing the vulnerabilities faced by these children. But preventing homelessness “upstream,” that is, of the biological parents, also needs to be a focus.