Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 4(1), 2006, pp.55-63.
Publisher:
Routledge
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
Action for Children (AFC) is a non-governmental organization founded and registered with the government of Uganda in 1998 to rescue children from immediate danger and to advocate for their rights. AFC is working on a three-year pilot project entitled the Grandparents Action Support Project (GAS), designed and implemented to strengthen the capacity of grandparents providing care to HIV/AIDS
Action for Children (AFC) is a non-governmental organization founded and registered with the government of Uganda in 1998 to rescue children from immediate danger and to advocate for their rights. AFC is working on a three-year pilot project entitled the Grandparents Action Support Project (GAS), designed and implemented to strengthen the capacity of grandparents providing care to HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children under the age of eight, and to improve the overall welfare of the families taking care of these children. After only seven months, an interim program evaluation revealed that several effective innovative and pragmatic community-based strategies have been developed and implemented by participants. The Project has had a multiplier effect in participating communities in that 'non-Project' families are copying and learning from GAS Project homes. Challenges and future expansion of the Project are described. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, intervention, child care, children, grandparents;
Approximately 2.4 million grandparents have primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren in the United States. The author draws on the current literature to highlight key issues affecting grandparents raising HIV-positive grandchildren; options and challenges for service providers; and possible responses for people who design or implement programmes for parenting grandparents.
Approximately 2.4 million grandparents have primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren in the United States. The author draws on the current literature to highlight key issues affecting grandparents raising HIV-positive grandchildren; options and challenges for service providers; and possible responses for people who design or implement programmes for parenting grandparents.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, needs, social care provision, child care, grandparents;
Ageing and Society, 31(8), November 2011, pp.1265-1288.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
To date, there is little research exploring the positive responses, perspectives and experiences of HIV/AIDS carers. This paper presents findings from qualitative research conducted with nine female carers of children, from South Africa's Kwazulu-Natal province, one of the world's most HIV-affected regions. It examines two themes from grandmother carers: strengths and resourcefulness in responding to adversity to ensure their families' survival; and their leadership role in affronting HIV and related stigma within their own families. The research adds to debate on the notion of resilience and challenges the stereotype of older carers or as passive victims of a changing world, rather than key agents of change. The authors concluded that while terms such as coping strategies and resilience should be used cautiously, it is important to consider carers' short-term responses to the many challenges faced, with a view to constructively informing interventions. Implications for older carers are discussed.
To date, there is little research exploring the positive responses, perspectives and experiences of HIV/AIDS carers. This paper presents findings from qualitative research conducted with nine female carers of children, from South Africa's Kwazulu-Natal province, one of the world's most HIV-affected regions. It examines two themes from grandmother carers: strengths and resourcefulness in responding to adversity to ensure their families' survival; and their leadership role in affronting HIV and related stigma within their own families. The research adds to debate on the notion of resilience and challenges the stereotype of older carers or as passive victims of a changing world, rather than key agents of change. The authors concluded that while terms such as coping strategies and resilience should be used cautiously, it is important to consider carers' short-term responses to the many challenges faced, with a view to constructively informing interventions. Implications for older carers are discussed.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, resilience, stereotyped attitudes, women, carers, children, grandparents;
Ageing and Society, 28(7), October 2008, pp.935-958.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Over the past few years, the pivotal roles older women play in responding to the unprecedented HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa has received increasing recognition by academics, governments, funding agencies, non-governmental organisations, and citizens around the world. Yet, discourses surrounding AIDS and ‘grandmotherhood’ are laden with a number of ungrounded assumptions that have important implications for researchers, advocates and decision-makers. Drawing on ethnographic and survey data predominantly from South Africa, this paper challenges seven such assumptions. The paper illustrates how certain prevailing ‘wisdoms’ about grandmothers and AIDS in southern Africa are not entirely accurate and may mask many women's struggles and vulnerabilities, perpetuate stereotypes and misguide well-meaning policies. It also suggests that the societal impacts of AIDS in the region are, at present, not as dramatic as often portrayed, largely because the strength and resilience of many older women have cushioned some of the negative consequences. The paper thus calls for more nuanced and forward-looking analyses and interventions – ones that recognise grandmothers as central to the society's thin safety net and that grapple with older women's complex and diverse vulnerabilities.
Over the past few years, the pivotal roles older women play in responding to the unprecedented HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa has received increasing recognition by academics, governments, funding agencies, non-governmental organisations, and citizens around the world. Yet, discourses surrounding AIDS and ‘grandmotherhood’ are laden with a number of ungrounded assumptions that have important implications for researchers, advocates and decision-makers. Drawing on ethnographic and survey data predominantly from South Africa, this paper challenges seven such assumptions. The paper illustrates how certain prevailing ‘wisdoms’ about grandmothers and AIDS in southern Africa are not entirely accurate and may mask many women's struggles and vulnerabilities, perpetuate stereotypes and misguide well-meaning policies. It also suggests that the societal impacts of AIDS in the region are, at present, not as dramatic as often portrayed, largely because the strength and resilience of many older women have cushioned some of the negative consequences. The paper thus calls for more nuanced and forward-looking analyses and interventions – ones that recognise grandmothers as central to the society's thin safety net and that grapple with older women's complex and diverse vulnerabilities.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, social networks, women, carers, family relations, grandparents;
... proximity to take in children if required to −71% of both fathers and grandparents, 63% of siblings and 23% of best friends said they would take in children. Nonetheless this research suggests that the willingness may not necessarily be translated into reality. Most prospective caregivers identified significant additional stressors (most importantly financial) and expressed a strong need for assistance
Increasing numbers of orphaned and vulnerable children resulting from AIDS deaths requires practical placement strategies. While the extended family is regarded as both the most likely and the preferred option by most key planners and organizations, warnings of the limitations of this alternative have been increasing. This study assessed the views of 1400 adults (both current and prospective caregivers) regarding the placement of children. Most current caregivers believed that either their partner (30%), a grandparent (25%) or another family member (33%) would look after the child/children if they were no longer able to. However, 12% of parents could not identify a carer or predicted only a bleak future for their children. There was strong willingness amongst adults of various relational proximity to take in children if required to −71% of both fathers and grandparents, 63% of siblings and 23% of best friends said they would take in children. Nonetheless this research suggests that the willingness may not necessarily be translated into reality. Most prospective caregivers identified significant additional stressors (most importantly financial) and expressed a strong need for assistance if they were to take in additional children. The HIV status of the child is also likely to sway placement decisions for some people. Nonetheless opportunities to keep children in families are clearly high, but people will need considerable help to realize this potential. For some children alternatives other than the extended family will be required
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, kinship care, survey design, vulnerable children, carers, guardianship, grandparents;
Social Work Maatskaplike Werk, 41(3), August 2005, pp.276-295.
AIDS-related deaths of parents have resulted in children being orphaned in large numbers, especially Botswana, which is one of the countries in Africa affected most severely by this pandemic. This research explores the describes the experiences relating to the care of AIDS orphans from the perspective of both the caregivers (elderly grandmothers) and the AIDS orphans in their care. A qualitative approach was used following an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The study was conducted in Francistown, a city in the northern part of Botswana, which is know to be the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with two groups of stakeholders. Purposive sampling was used to frame a sample of AIDS orphans and elderly grandmother caregivers.
AIDS-related deaths of parents have resulted in children being orphaned in large numbers, especially Botswana, which is one of the countries in Africa affected most severely by this pandemic. This research explores the describes the experiences relating to the care of AIDS orphans from the perspective of both the caregivers (elderly grandmothers) and the AIDS orphans in their care. A qualitative approach was used following an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The study was conducted in Francistown, a city in the northern part of Botswana, which is know to be the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with two groups of stakeholders. Purposive sampling was used to frame a sample of AIDS orphans and elderly grandmother caregivers.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, kinship care, user views, child care, children, grandparents;
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 44(3/4), 2005, pp.59-74.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
HIV disease is now a major reason that grandparents and other older caregivers assume custodial care of minor children whose parents have died or become incapacitated. Grandparents are becoming custodial parents for a growing number of orphaned children, either through kinship care or informal means. Although these older caregivers are raising minors again because their adult children
HIV disease is now a major reason that grandparents and other older caregivers assume custodial care of minor children whose parents have died or become incapacitated. Grandparents are becoming custodial parents for a growing number of orphaned children, either through kinship care or informal means. Although these older caregivers are raising minors again because their adult children are unavailable due to a life threatening illness, we know little about whether these older surrogate parents are planning for the eventuality of their own deaths. This exploratory, qualitative, grounded theory study explored the permanency planning experiences of older caregivers of HIV-affected and HIV-infected minor children. Five barriers emerged impeding the permanency planning process for these older caregivers: Lack of knowledge about the legal process, lack of legal authority, emotional concerns, lack of informal social support, and HIV-related stigma. Implications for gerontological social work include the need for more supportive and legal services for older HIV-affected caregivers who are raising minors, encouraging formal adoption and/or negotiations with living biological parents, and helping grandmothers to manage disclosures and HIV-stigma.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, older people, planning, carers, children, grandparents;
Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 2(2), 2003, pp.5-20.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... than a quarter of child care arrangements were formalised through legal procedures prior to mothers' deaths. Despite lack of formalised planning or financial assistance, children's relatives (especially grandparents) kept families together, preventing most motherless children from entering the child welfare custodial system. Discusses ways in which health care providers and social workers can engage
This American study examines the residential and custody status of children whose mothers were deceased participants in the Chicago Consortium of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Data were collected on 53 minor children. At follow-up, 77 percent of children lived with family, the residential status of 15 percent was unknown, and 8 percent lived in foster care or with a non-relative. Less than a quarter of child care arrangements were formalised through legal procedures prior to mothers' deaths. Despite lack of formalised planning or financial assistance, children's relatives (especially grandparents) kept families together, preventing most motherless children from entering the child welfare custodial system. Discusses ways in which health care providers and social workers can engage mothers with HIV/AIDS in the permanency planning process.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, permanency planning, placement, child care, foster care, foster children, grandparents;
... and the families who care for them. Based on interviews and focus groups carried out in Chiang Mai province in 2001-2002, the study finds that most of the children left orphaned by AIDS were being cared for by members of their extended family, especially grandparents or maternal aunts, and that many caregiving households were experiencing significant financial hardship which might have implications
The implications of orphanhood for AIDS-affected children in Thailand is a subject which has received little scholarly attention despite the intensity and longevity of the epidemic in that country. The present study presents preliminary findings from a longitudinal investigation of the circumstances and welfare of Thai youth who have lost one or both parents to AIDS-related causes and the families who care for them. Based on interviews and focus groups carried out in Chiang Mai province in 2001-2002, the study finds that most of the children left orphaned by AIDS were being cared for by members of their extended family, especially grandparents or maternal aunts, and that many caregiving households were experiencing significant financial hardship which might have implications for the children's long-term well-being and stability and for their opportunities for educational advancement. Concern were also expressed about the unavailability or inaccessibility of childcare for AIDS-affected children and the perceived instability of fostering arrangements which placed young children in the care of elderly relatives.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, children, cost effectiveness, family relations, family support, foster children, grandparents;