There
is an estimated 10 million grandparents having custodial responsibility for
their grandchildren, according to the Foundation for Grandparenting,
established by Dr. Arthur Kornhaber. The majority of grandparents is under 65
years of age and employed, with half the grandchildren under 6 years of age.
This outrageously high number could actually be higher. Casual unreported
custody and fear of losing senior housing and other benefits prevent many
grandparents from exposing their circumstances.
According
to Pew Research Center, households composed of multiple generations are higher
than they have been in half a century. Pew also found that 1 in 10 children is
parented by his grandparent(s).
The
Brookdale Grandparent Caregiver Information Project at UC Berkeley Center on
Aging said in the last 10 years, the number of children living with their
grandparents has increased 50%.
In
2000, the U.S. census reported that 4.5 million children were being raised by
their grandparents. In 2005, the number rose to 6 million and jumped to 8
million in 2008.
For those 10 million, here is a a list of resources. I hope you get the support you so deserve.
GAP (Grandparents as Parents)Group (www.grandparentsasparents.org/):
a support group for grandparents
raising grandchildren.
National Kinship Alliance
for Children (www.KinshipAllience.org): a
nationwide network of grandparents, community members, and professionals
working together to provide education and support, advocacy and thought
leadership for children, grandparents, and kinship families.
Raising Your Grandchildren (RaisingYourGrandchildren.com) by Karen Best Wright: a website with ongoing information for
grandparents and kinship families.
Grandparenting Blog (www.GrandparentingBlog.com) by
Karen Best Wright: an interactive online support site.
The Addict's Mom G2G (grandparent to grandparent) Sharing Without Shame (https://www.facebook.com/groups/154033158118579/): a closed secure forum for
grandparents raising grandchildren due to their child’s addiction.
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
(www.AARP.com. Then type grandparents raising
grandchildren): provides information and forum for grandparents.
GRAND (www.grandmagazine.com) is an online magazine with information and articles for grandparents or relatives raising children.
GRAND (www.grandmagazine.com) is an online magazine with information and articles for grandparents or relatives raising children.
Those statistics are staggering. It is time that we somehow figure out how to STOP the madness and put the responsibility back into the hands of parents. How did things get this bad???
ReplyDeleteFrom teen pregnancies, the economy, but mostly from addiction. I believe one way we can stop it is to educate the children. D.A.R.E. and "Just Say No" programs are too simplistic. The kids need truth. It's that "First Choice" that can easily become addiction. They need to know that addiction is a crapshoot -50/50- and to "Not Choose." Right now, addiction is epidemic and killing more than ever with heroin at the helm. As shocking as that is, it's taking over because of the easily prescribed and accessible painkillers. horrific!
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