A "Grand" New World: Grandmothers as Primary Caregiver for Grandchildren

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: At the Intersection of Race and Gender: New Horizons in Educational Research

Abstract

This research examined the historical authority of African American grandmothers. Their guidance, stability, and support helped grandchildren survive. However, boundary lines have become blurred between the parent and grandparent role in many African American homes due to an increase of African American grandmothers becoming primary caregivers for grandchildren. The African American grandmothers taught manners, values, morals, spiritual guidance, life-skills along with educational knowledge that sustained grandchildren’s lives. The systemic family development (SFD) model, cultural wealth and intersectionality frameworks demonstrate how African American grandmothers use hope, empowerment and family literacy to instill valuable life skills in grandchildren to help them attain achievement in school and life despite challenges in American society.

Author

• Latosha M Rowley, Indiana University - IUPUI