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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Slorah, Patricia Perkins, December 1994 - GRANDPARENTS OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT: A POLICY ANALYSIS
Abstract: This study explores the phenomenon of grandparental estrangement in situations in which middle income grandparents have provided either primary care or a home for grandchildren. Ethnographic research revealed unexpected child maltreatment by the father, stepfathers and boyfriends in seven out of the nine grandparental case histories. Economic stress, substance abuse, divorce and out-of-wedlock births coupled with lack of supportive social programs led to child maltreatment. Grandparent caregivers became estranged when they attempted to intervene on behalf of their grandchildren. Policy makers in the study, child protective authorities and legislators, mistakenly believed that grandparents were eager to rear these children. Child protective personnel blamed the grandparent caregivers instead of society for the problems these young parents are experiencing. Inconsistencies in the policies of child protective authorities exacerbate existing tensions in situations in which dependent children have been removed from their parent's custody. A model of the way in which grandparental estrangement developed in these case histories provides insight into this problem. Policy recommendations are made to assist grandparent Caregivers as well as other relatives who assume custody of dependent children. Directions are given for future research on this topic.
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