In the past one decade alone, there has been an upsurge in the number of children and adolescent individuals spending a better part of their livelihoods in single parent homes. These single parent homes are those do not include both parents. This can result when the parents either decide to divorce, get a new marriage or just deciding to live a single life. Various researchers have also reported that children who grow up in such kind of family settings have a very high probability of undergoing a lot of difficulties Dunn (2002, 67). Some of the difficulties may include poor psychosocial, difficulty in adjusting in their schools and various related health problems. Those who grow up in families with single parents, when compared to their counterparts in nuclear families, are less likely to face the difficulties (Hetherington et al, 1999).
Many western nations have in the past two decades experienced low fertility rates and higher life expectancy. This, therefore, implies that the number of people who are likely to live for three generations or more is constantly on the rise. This is also evident in the number of increasing grandparents. Grandparenthood is slowly achieving significant recognition in the western countries. It has become accepted that a relationship with the grandparents is extremely fulfilling in a young person’s world in the 21st century. This is of importance as they progress into their adult relationships in families where one of the biological parents is missing (Ruiz and Silvesterstein, 2007).
Other studies have also brought a different perspective on the same topic. According to the journal of family psychology (2009, 1), children who spend a better part of their lives with their grandparents have fewer behaviour problems. The journal states that during their adolescent stage, these children are most likely to get better social skills especially those who stay in single family homes or even step family set ups. The argument of the journal is that children and adolescents staying in single family homes always confide so much in their grandparents. They feel so much at ease when they are around them.
Kennedy and Kennedy (1993, 50), asserts that grandparents get more involved in the lives of young adults in single-parent families and the step families. This is opposed to their involvement in lives of those who grow up in a nuclear family. Kennedy (1993, 51) goes ahead to explain that most grandchildren are more close to their maternal grandparents than they are to their paternal grandparents. They also get to be more close to their grandmothers than grandfathers (Clarke and Roberts, 2004, 190).
During the period when a child undergoes a transition from childhood to adulthood, contact with the grandparents is very essential. This is because of the nature of care they get. This helps in social network adjustment (Werner and Smith, 2008, 385). Children who grow up under the informal care of their grandparents find it less difficult in making adjustments in life as compared to those who have both parents (Lussier et al, .2002, 367).Students who are at their adolescent stage find it easy to talk to their grandparents about social issues affecting them. Asking for money from the elders is not a big problem to them. The grandparents give a lot of advice to their grandchildren in a very free and loving atmosphere. This makes the young adults to be less hyperactive and disruptive. Such kind of growing children are also likely to get along with their peers. The effect of grandparents involvement is greater compared to the effect on the lives of those who grow up in nuclear set ups (Elder and King, 130).
In conclusion, grandparents’ involvement is of great importance in the life of a growing child (Bray and Berger, 1990, 420). It helps in reducing difficulties in making adjustments in life. This is because the grandparents are known to value their relationship with their grandchildren. They are consistently engaged in the lives of the younger generation.
References
Bray, J. H., & Berger, S. H. (1990). Non-custodian parent and grandparent relationships in step families. Family Relations, 39, 414-419
King, V., & Elder, G. H. (1997). The legacy of grand parenting: Childhood experiences with grandparents and current involvement with grandchildren .Journal of Marriage and the Family,59 ,848 – 859
Dunn, J., Davies, L. C., O’Connor, T. G., & Sturgess, W. (2001).Family lives and friendships: The perspectives of children instep-, single-parent and non-step families. Journal of Family Psychology, 15,272–28
Clarke, L. and Roberts, C. (2004). Grandparenthood: Its meaning and its contribution to the quality of life of older people. In C. Hagan-Hennessy, & A. Walker (Ed.),
Growing older: Quality of life in old age (pp. 188 –208). Maidenhead, United Kingdom: Open University Press
Hetherington, E. M., Bridges, M., & Isabella, G. M. (1998). What matters? What does not? Perspectives on the association between marital transitions and children’s adjustment. American Psychologist, 53,167–184
Ruiz, S. A. and Silverstein, M. (2007). Relationships with grand-parents and the emotional well-being of late adolescence and young adult grandchildren. Journal of Social Issues, 63,793–808
Schwartz, A. S.(2009). Children in Single-Parent Households and Stepfamilies Benefit Most Socially from Time with Grandparents. Journal of family psychology, 2, 1-2
Dunn, J. (2002). The adjustment of children in stepfamilies: Les-sons from community studies. Children and Adolescence. Mental Health, 7, 154 –161.
Hetherington, E. M and Hagan, M. (1999). The adjustment of children with divorced parents: A risk and resiliency perspective. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40,129 –140
Kennedy, G. E., & Kennedy, C. E. (1993). Grandparents: A special resource for children in step families. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 19,45– 68.
