Information AboutAfrican-american Grandmother |
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TRADITIONAL ROLES OF OLDER AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE ANTEBELLUM SOUTH DURING NINETEENTH CENTURY Religion and family are two of the strongest and most important traditions in the African-American family. Traditionally, African-American grandmothers have been known for the significant contributions that they have made towards these two cultural areas. African-American grandmothers are known as the caregivers and nurturers within the extended family networks. Their caregiver traditional roles include caring for their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other non-related members of the family. Older African-American women, especially grandmothers, were also labeled as advisors on self conduct, the importance of family, Sex education etc. The African-American grandmother provides the foundation for the endurance and strength of the black family. ROLES OF GRANDMOTHERS DURING SLAVERY African-American grandmothers have historically served as kin keepers. They raised their grandchildren because of the African-American tradition of family survival during Slavery and as a result of parents having to leave in search of economic opportunities in the North . During the 19th century, the strong roles of black women became evident. During the time of slavery, there were no clear distinctions between the roles of mothers and grandmothers, but elderly women played the role of overseers, in addition to having an impact on family existence and well-being. Grandmothers were present in almost every household. Often, they were left at home when the parents had to go to work. When the elderly women became too frail and old to work in the fields, their assignments consisted of household responsibilities instead. These responsibilities included taking care of babies, sewing and knitting, cooking, caring for farm animals, and polishing repair tools. Other roles included serving as Religious advisors, Counselors , and medicine-women, in addition to taking care of children when they were separated from their mothers. INCREASE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN GRANDMOTHERS AS CARETAKERS The 2000 Census revealed that across the U.S., nearly 4.5 million children were living in homes headed by 2.4 million grandparents. Half the time, the grandparents are the primary caregivers. While most of these children are white, 13.2% are African American, a disproportionately high number when compared to other racial groups. In African-American families it is common for grandparents to assume responsibility for a grandchild, and other people in the extended family when a parent is no longer capable or willing to care for their children. A number of studies have shown that the consequences of the Crack -cocaine Epidemic have had a role in the increase of African-American grandmothers who are caring for their grandchildren. Substance abuse is the most common reason for the increase of children living with grandparents. There has also been a dramatic increase in the role of incarcerations among women over the past decade. There are approximately fifty thousand women who are in state and federal Prison , and thirty nine more thousand more in Jail . Two-thirds of these women have children under the age of 18 and it is estimated that more than half of these kids live with their grandparents while their mother is in jail. The grandmother is usually the primary caregiver. It is estimated that seventy-five thousand grandmothers will be faced with the increasing incidence of incarcerations of their grandchildren’s mother. Grandmothers view their role as necessary for the survival of the children because they are the tie that bonds the family together. CONSEQUENCES OF CUSTODIAL PARENTING AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN GRANDMOTHERS Gaining Custody of grandchildren at an elderly age causes a significant amount of stress for grandmothers. In some studies, the grandmother reported feeling overwhelmed by the many Clinical visits required by her grandchildren. Others reported experiencing marital dissatisfaction. Due to their involvement with their grandchildren, grandmothers have had to neglect their own social, emotional, and physical needs. Many grandmothers reported that providing care for their grandchildren was complicated due to the fact that they hadn't yet completed the process of raising their own children. Depression , Insomnia , and Hypertension are among the emotional and physical problems that have been reported as health-related consequences that have arisen from the demands of child care. RESOURCES
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