Opinion: Grandparents raising grandchildren
A new class of disadvantaged Australians
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December 2003
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Abstract
This paper discusses some of the findings of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren study, conducted by COTA National Seniors (Australia). The study explored grandparents' views on their existing support mechanisms; what additional support they may require; the financial and legal issues they may be facing; and any concerns they may have about the wellbeing of their grandchildren. The authors state that the study has shown a failure of community support systems in regard to grandparents raising grandchildren. This failure has profound impacts on the lives of both grandparents and grandchildren - in the present and for the future. It is noted that, in conjunction with grandparents raising grandchildren and their support groups, COTA National Seniors developed a set of 21 recommendations to help resolve some of the problems.
This paper discusses some of the findings of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren study, conducted by COTA National Seniors (Australia). The study explored grandparents' views on their existing support mechanisms; what additional support they may require; the financial and legal issues they may be facing; and any concerns they may have about the wellbeing of their grandchildren. The authors state that the study has shown a failure of community support systems in regard to grandparents raising grandchildren. This failure has profound impacts on the lives of both grandparents and grandchildren - in the present and for the future. It is noted that, in conjunction with grandparents raising grandchildren and their support groups, COTA National Seniors developed a set of 21 recommendations to help resolve some of the problems.