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A qualitative perspective of family resources among low income, African American grandmother-caregivers
- Author:
- SIMPSON Gaynell M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 51(1/2), 2008, pp.19-41.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This ethnographic study of seven low income African American grandmothers with caring responsibilities identified who could and could not provide support from within the family. It used a genogram and a constant comparative method to capture thematically the respondents’ perceptions of family support resources as absent, unavailable, dependent or reliable, and the circumstances that led to each status classification. The findings show that many were rearing grandchildren (and undertaking other caring roles) with little family support, owing mainly to the devastation caused by adverse social and economic conditions. The implications for social work assessment and intervention are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Overlooking African American males: a qualitative perspective of urban African grandmother caregivers’ reliance on family members
- Authors:
- SIMPSON Gaynell M., CORNELIUS Llewellyn J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 15(1), 2007, pp.149-170.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines the perceptions of family resources expressed by a group of seven urban African American grandmothers providing care for their grandchildren, predominantly because of parental drug abuse. In several cases children had emotional or behavioural problems, all the families were affected by drugs and poverty, and all had suffered at least one unexpected death from drugs, illness or violence. The study uses ethnographic data from participant observation, field notes, taped interviews and a genogram to capture those family members able and unable to provide support. The findings show that: grandmothers felt able to depend only on family members with resources; that sons were viewed as the most reliable and dependable sources of support; and that other family members (often daughters) were unable to provide support because of their own problems of drug addiction, poverty, illness or incarceration. The results suggest that intergenerational programmes aimed at the family system are important for meeting the needs of grandmothers providing care. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).