Grandmothers and Coresident Grandchildren

Abstract

This article reports findings of a national study examining characteristics of coresident grandmothers and their grandchildren between 1967 and 1992 (n = 1099). Findings suggested that coresident grandmotherhood may be more prevalent than previously indicated, and of longer duration, over the life course. Among the study sample of ever coresident grandmothers (n = 753), age, income status (having an income less than 50% of the median family income), and race were found to be negatively correlated with coresidency in 1992, while number of children and years of coresident grandparenthood were found to be positively related to coresidency. Among the study sample of coresident families in 1992 (n = 285), age and income status were found to be negatively correlated with the likelihood of living in a three-generation household, while number of coresident grandchildren and marital status (being single) were found to be positively correlated with three-generation households. In addition, sizable minorities of both three- and skipped-generation households had low income. Policy and program implications are discussed.