Current Population Reports Coresident Grandparents

Special Studies and Grandchildren

By Ken Bryson and

Lynne M. Casper

C E N S U S B U R E A U P23-198

Issued May 1999

U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration

Introduction holds increased from 2.2 million in

Researchers, public policy makers, 1970, to 2.3 million in 1980, to 3.3

and the media first began to notice million in 1992. In 1970, a little

an increase in the number of grand- over 3 percent of all children under

children living in grandparent- age 18 were living in a home

maintained households in the early maintained by their grandparents

1990s. The Census Bureau’s (Figure 1). By 1992, this

Current Population Report, Marital percentage had increased to

Status and Living Arrangements: nearly 5 percent. More recent data

March 1992, noted that the show that this trend has continued.

number of children under 18 living in In 1997, 3.9 million children were

grandparent-maintained house- living in homes maintained by their

grandparents — 5.5 percent of all

children under 18.

Substantial increases have occurred

in the number of children living in

households maintained by grandparents regardless of the presence

or absence of the grandchildren’s

parents. Between 1970 and 1992,

these increases were greatest

among children with only one

parent in the household. Between

1992 and 1997, the greatest

growth has occurred among

grandchildren living with

grandparents with no parent

present.1

 The increase in

grandchildren in these “skipped

generation” living arrangements

has been attributed to the growth

in drug use among parents, teen

pregnancy, divorce, the rapid rise

of single-parent households,

mental and physical illness, AIDS,

crime, child abuse and neglect,

and incarceration of parents.2

Policy implications of the growing

number of grandchildren being

cared for by their grandparents

encompass a broad range of

issues. Hearings in 1992 by

committees of the Senate and

House of Representatives focused

on causes of the growing numbers

of “grandparents as parents,” the

changing roles and responsibilities

of grandparents, and deficiencies

in the areas of grandparents’ rights

and their access to public

1

Fuller-Thomson, Minkler, and Driver refer to

skipped generation households as those comprised of grandparents and their grandchildren

with neither of the child’s parents present. FullerThomson, Esme, Meredith Minkler, and Diane

Driver. 1997. “A Profile of Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren in the United States.” The Gerontologist 37:406-411. 2

For a more thorough discussion of these causes

see Minkler, M. 1998. “Intergenerational Households Headed by Grandparents: Demographic

and Sociological Contexts.” In Generations

United (eds.) Grandparents and Other Relatives

Raising Children: Background Papers from Generations United’s Expert Symposiums. Washington, DC: Generations United.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1970 and 1980 Censuses and 1992

and 1997 Current Population Surveys as reported in Marital Status

and Living Arrangements: March 1992, Table H and Marital Status

and Living Arrangements: March 1997, Table 4.

Figure 1.

Grandchildren in Grandparents’ Home

by Presence of Parents

Percent of children under 18

3.2%

3.6%

4.9%

5.5%

Neither parent

Father only

Mother only

Both parents

Parents in household

0.1%

1970

0.1%

1980 1992 1997

1.4%

1.2%

0.5%

1.6%

1.5%

0.5%

1.3%

0.2%

2.6%

0.8%

1.8%

0.4%

2.5%

0.8%
2 P23-198

U.S. Census Bureau

assistance.3 Following the enact- features of family structure. For Coresident Grandparentment of welfare reform legislation, instance, in grandparent- Grandchild Families, by Type

the focus has sharpened on grand- maintained households, are just 3 in 4 families with coresident parents’ access to both public and one or both of the grandparents grandparents and grandchildren private sources of support. They present? If only one grandparent are grandparent-maintained. include not only cash assistance, is present, is it the grandfather or

but also health insurance and grandmother? Are both parents in In three-fourths (75 percent) of

access to health care, education the household as well? Similarly, in families with coresident grandservices, legal services, child care, parent-maintained households — parents and grandchildren, a

and workplace policies affecting are both parents or both grandparent maintains the houseworking grandparents who are grandparents there? Studies have hold (Figure 3). The remaining

caregivers. demonstrated that family structure, families are maintained by a parent

including information on the marital of the children with a grandparent This report presents data on the status and gender of the or grandparents of the children characteristics of coresident grandparents and the presence of living in the home. grandparents and grandchildren in parents, is essential for different types of households. We Half (51 percent) of the grandparent- understanding the types of distinguish two main types of maintained families have both a problems different families are households with grandparents: likely to encounter.4 grandfather and a grandmother For this those in which the grandparent is living with the grandchildren. Most reason, we also show data the householder (owns or rents the of the others (43 percent of the separately for family types home) and those in which a parent total) are maintained by a grand- classified according to presence of or parents of the grandchildren mother with no spouse present. maintain the home. Characteristics parents and grandparents in the Only 6 percent are maintained by of grandparents and grandchildren household. In classifying families a grandfather alone. are likely to differ depending on according to who maintains the

whether the grandparent or parent household and the marital status In contrast, 70 percent of parentmaintains the home. For example, and gender of the grandparents maintained families with coresident

grandparents who maintain their and parents living there, we grandparents have only a grandown homes are more likely to be identify the nine family types mother, 17 percent only a grandeconomically independent than shown in Figure 2.5 father, and 13 percent have both a

their counterparts who are living in grandmother and a grandfather

their children’s homes. Because of present.6 Of the grandmother

these differences, we present 4

For a more thorough discussion of the effects only-parent-maintained families,

figures for grandparent- and parent- of family structure in grandparent-maintained

families, see Casper, Lynne M. and Kenneth R. approximately three-fifths have

maintained households separately. Bryson. 1998. “Coresident Grandparents and both parents of the grandchildren Their Grandchildren: Grandparent-Maintained

Within these two main types of Families.” Population Division Working Paper present while two-fifths have single

Series No. 26. Washington DC: U.S. Bureau of parents present. households we investigate other the Census.

5

Note that data limitations prevent us from show- 3

U.S. House of Representatives. 1992. Grand- ing data from all possible family types. For exparents: New Roles and Responsibilities. Select ample, there are not enough grandfather-main- 6

The proportion of parent-maintained families

Committee on Aging. Comm. Pub. No. 102-876. tained households to show in detail households with a grandfather present (17 percent) is not

U.S. Senate. 1992. Grandparents as Parents: with and without parents. Instead, we only are statistically different from the proportion with both

Raising a Second Generation. Special Commit- able to provide data on all grandfather-maintained a grandmother and a grandfather present (13

tee on Aging. Serial No.102-24. families, regardless of the presence of parents. percent).

Figure 2.

Types of Families With Coresident Grandparents and Grandchildren

Two

parents

One

parent

Some

parents

Some

parents

No

parent

Both

grandparents

Grandfather

only

Grandmother

only

Grandmother

only

Both

grandparents

Grandfather

only

Grandparent-maintained

families

Parent-maintained

families

No

parent
U.S. Census Bureau

Characteristics of Grand- may therefore want to live with likely to be younger than those

parents Who Live With Their their children and grandchildren for living in homes maintained by their

Grandchildren the companionship. Also, older children. In grandparent-maintained

women are more likely to be poor households, only 15 percent of the Coresident grandmothers than older couples or older men grandmothers and 21 percent of outnumber coresident

grandfathers five to three. and may be more likely to live with the grandfathers are 65 or older.

their children for financial reasons. This contrasts sharply with those in Nearly 4.7 million grandparents parent-maintained households were living with their grandchildren Caregiving norms also may have where roughly half of the grand- in 1997 (Table 1). About 2.9 million some effect. For example, women mothers and grandfathers are 65 grandmothers lived with their grand- are more likely than men to years old or older — 50 percent children compared with only assume a caregiving role, and and 56 percent, respectively. 1.7 million grandfathers. Thus, grandmothers may feel more obliged

63 percent of coresident grand- to help out with grandchildren in However, grandparents in

parents are grandmothers. The times of need. Also, many grandparent-maintained and parentpercentages of grandmothers in coresident grandmothers may be maintained households are more

grandparent-maintained and in divorced or may have never married; similar with regard to health status.

parent-maintained households — this, coupled with the fact that they In households maintained by the

62 percent compared with 65 are more likely to be caregivers, grandparents, about 36 percent of

percent — are similar.7 would result in more single both grandmothers and grandgrandmothers coresiding with fathers are in “excellent” or “very Several reasons have been offered grandchildren.8 good” health. In parent-maintained for why coresident grandmothers households, a lower percentage outnumber grandfathers. One Grandparents maintaining (about 27 percent) of both grand- reason is the higher mortality of homes for their grandchildren mothers and grandfathers are in men. Because women live longer, are younger, in better health, “excellent” or “very good” health. they are more likely to reach an better educated, and more

age where they have grandchildren. likely to be working outside of Grandparents maintaining homes

Women are also less likely than the home. for their grandchildren also are

men to remarry after the death of more likely to have at least a high Grandparents maintaining homes a spouse. Thus, grandmothers are school education. Since they tend for their grandchildren are more more likely to be widowed, and to be younger than grandparents in

8

“Single” refers to widowed, never married, di- parent-maintained households,

vorced and separated throughout this report and 7 and since levels of high school These two percentages (62 percent and 65 indicates a living situation in which no spouse is

percent) are not statistically different. present. completion in the United States

P23-198 3

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, March 1997 Current Population Survey

Figure 3.

Families With Coresident Grandparents and Grandchildren: 1997

Percent distribution of family type

Both grandparents,

some parents 34%

Both grandparents,

no parent 17%

Grandmother only,

some parents 29%

Grandmother only,

no parent 14%

Grandparent-maintained

families

Grandfather only 6%

Both grandparents 13%

Grandmother only,

two parents 42%

Grandmother only,

one parent 28%

Grandfather only 17%

Parent-maintained

families

Grandparent-maintained

families

Parent-maintained

families

2,444,000

800,000
4 P23-198

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 1. Characteristics of Grandparents Who Are Coresident With Grandchildren: 1997

(Numbers in thousands. Percent distribution of characteristics)

Grandparent-maintained families Parent-maintained families

Characteristics

All

coresident

grandparent

families Total

Both Both Grand- Grandgrand- grand- mother mother

parents, parents, only, only,

some no some no

parents parent parents parent

Grandfather

only Total

Grand- GrandBoth mother mother

grand- only, two only, one

parents parents parent

Grandfather

only

Grandparents, total (number)

Grandmothers, total (number)

Percent distribution of grandmothers

Race and Ethnicity

White, non-Hispanic

Black, non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Other, non-Hispanic

Age

Under 45

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 and older

Marital Status

Married, spouse present

Divorced, separated

Widowed

Never married

Education

Not high school graduate

High school graduate

At least some college

Work Experience in 1996

Worked full-time, full-year

Less than full-time, full-year

Did not work

General State of Health

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair or Poor

Poverty Status

Poor

Not poor

Grandfathers, total (number)

Percent distribution of grandfathers

Race and Ethnicity

White, non-Hispanic

Black, non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Other, non-Hispanic

Age

Under 45

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 and older

Marital Status

Married, spouse present

Divorced, separated

Widowed

Never married

Education

Not high school graduate

High school graduate

At least some college

Work Experience in 1996

Worked full-time, full-year

Less than full-time, full-year

Did not work

General State of Health

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair or Poor

Poverty Status

Poor

Not poor

4,674

2,928

100.0

46.9

27.8

17.7

7.6

16.6

31.9

28.9

22.7

48.6

23.5

22.0

5.9

38.0

39.8

22.2

32.2

17.2

50.6

12.4

21.2

31.4

35.1

20.9

79.1

1,746

100.0

57.8

15.6

19.7

6.8

13.3

28.3

30.8

27.5

79.8

9.9

9.1

1.2

39.9

36.8

23.3

48.1

16.3

35.6

14.1

21.0

33.5

31.5

12.0

88.0

3,694

2,292

100.0

48.0

31.0

16.4

4.5

19.4

36.0

29.5

15.1

56.1

22.9

15.4

5.5

35.5

40.2

24.3

36.9

19.6

43.6

13.3

21.9

31.2

33.6

23.0

77.0

1,402

100.0

60.3

18.3

17.3

4.2

14.9

32.0

32.6

20.5

90.1

6.1

3.2

0.7

37.1

37.1

25.8

54.5

17.5

27.9

15.4

22.0

33.9

28.7

12.4

87.6

1,676

838

100.0

56.7

16.0

20.5

6.8

22.9

42.0

26.5

8.6

100.0

(X)

(X)

(X)

27.7

45.9

26.4

38.3

22.5

39.3

14.9

22.6

36.0

26.5

10.0

90.0

838

100.0

59.0

16.2

19.2

5.6

16.9

38.4

29.9

14.8

100.0

(X)

(X)

(X)

35.3

37.6

27.1

59.9

17.4

22.7

15.3

24.4

35.6

24.6

10.0

90.0

824

412

100.0

62.8

18.8

15.3

3.2

14.8

35.2

36.4

13.6

100.0

(X)

(X)

(X)

41.0

39.3

19.7

32.2

21.5

46.3

11.6

27.2

32.4

28.9

14.4

85.6

412

100.0

63.6

19.5

14.6

2.2

11.0

23.7

38.8

26.5

100.0

(X)

(X)

(X)

40.6

36.1

23.3

49.5

19.9

30.6

14.7

21.5

31.1

32.7

14.4

85.6

702

702

100.0

38.6

45.4

12.5

3.5

24.2

30.1

25.4

20.3

4.8

50.4

32.9

11.9

36.6

38.5

25.0

45.6

16.3

38.2

14.3

22.9

26.4

36.4

26.9

73.1

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

340

340

100.0

27.9

53.5

15.8

2.8

6.9

34.1

36.9

22.2

0.9

50.3

36.1

12.7

45.9

30.4

23.7

21.4

16.8

61.8

9.1

12.0

27.9

51.0

57.2

42.8

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

152

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

152

100.0

58.1

26.0

14.1

1.7

13.8

19.3

31.0

35.9

8.6

56.0

29.0

6.4

37.7

36.6

25.6

38.7

12.0

49.3

18.0

10.1

31.9

40.0

19.9

80.1

980

636

100.0

42.8

16.2

22.3

18.7

6.3

17.2

26.7

49.8

21.4

25.8

45.5

7.3

46.8

38.6

14.6

15.3

8.6

76.1

9.2

18.5

32.1

40.3

13.6

86.4

344

100.0

47.9

4.8

29.7

17.5

7.2

13.2

23.6

56.1

38.1

25.5

33.4

3.0

51.2

35.6

13.1

22.0

11.3

66.7

8.4

16.7

31.9

43.0

10.5

89.5

204

101

100.0

40.7

3.4

25.6

30.2

6.8

22.9

46.4

23.9

97.8

0.0

0.0

2.2

41.9

46.1

12.0

16.1

18.6

65.3

11.0

15.6

41.1

32.3

9.5

90.5

103

100.0

42.4

3.4

24.2

29.9

11.7

12.4

34.3

41.6

96.7

0.0

0.0

3.3

36.4

41.7

21.9

33.7

9.8

56.5

8.3

20.5

35.3

35.9

9.4

90.6

324

324

100.0

51.0

6.3

20.5

22.2

0.7

13.0

22.6

63.7

5.6

24.1

66.1

4.3

49.6

35.0

15.3

11.6

3.9

84.5

6.5

22.4

33.8

37.4

5.3

94.7

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

211

211

100.0

31.2

37.6

23.4

7.8

14.5

20.9

23.7

40.9

9.1

40.8

35.8

14.3

44.8

40.4

14.8

20.5

11.1

68.4

12.4

14.0

25.1

48.5

28.2

71.8

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

242

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

242

100.0

50.3

5.4

32.1

12.3

5.2

13.6

19.0

62.2

13.2

36.3

47.5

2.9

57.5

33.1

9.4

17.0

12.0

71.0

8.5

15.1

30.5

46.0

11.0

89.0

(X) Not applicable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, March 1997 Current Population Survey.
P23-198 5

U.S. Census Bureau

have risen continuously over the Single grandmothers are non-Hispanic grandmothers. Looked

past decades, their completion especially likely to be poor. at another way, black grandmothers

rates were higher than in the more- are more commonly found in living All coresident grandmothers are distant past. arrangements with no spouse about twice as likely to be poor present. This is due in part to Grandparents living with grand- when compared with all coresident differences in the union formation children in grandparent-maintained grandfathers (21 percent compared and dissolution patterns and fertility households are more likely to be in with 12 percent). Family structure behavior of African-Americans, as the labor force. Seventy-two percent becomes especially important in well as to the higher mortality of of grandfathers and 56 percent of examining the economic well-being black men. grandmothers in grandparent- of grandparents; coresident grandmaintained households were mothers with no spouse present Characteristics of Grandemployed in 1996, compared with are more likely to suffer economic children Who Live With Their

only 33 percent of grandfathers and hardship, except when they are Grandparents 24 percent of grandmothers in living in homes maintained by both

parent-maintained households.9 parents of the grandchildren. Of The well-being of coresident

One explanation is that grand- single grandmothers who maintain grandchildren depends on the

parents in grandparent-maintained households for their grandchildren, presence of their grandparents

families tend to be younger and one-fourth are poor if a parent or and their parents. Table 2 shows

therefore less likely to have parents are present and about 60 the characteristics of grandchildren

reached retirement age. percent are poor if no parent is who live with their grandparents in

present. Of single grandmothers grandparent- and parent-maintained Families with both dependent living in homes maintained by their households according to each of children and dependent grand- children, one-fourth are poor if only the different types of family structure. parents have been referred to as one parent (generally the mother) “sandwich” families in part because Grandchildren in grandparent- of their grandchildren is present. In the parents in these families provide maintained families are more contrast, if the home is maintained economic support for both their likely to be Black, younger, and by both parents of the grandchildren, children and their parent or parents living in the South compared only 5 percent of the single with grandchildren in parent- who live with them. If the grand- grandmothers are in poverty. maintained families. parent is elderly or in poor health,

the parent may also be providing The three family types most likely Grandchildren in grandparentcare for both the grandparents and to have incomes below the poverty maintained families are more than

children.10 Thus, the parents in level — single grandmother- twice as likely to be non-Hispanic

these types of families are maintained households with and Black compared with grandchildren

sandwiched between the competing without parents present and one- in parent-maintained families (36

demands of their parents and parent-maintained households with percent versus 15 percent).

children. only the grandmother present —

have in common that they do not About one-half (45 percent) of the

Our findings indicate that although have grandfathers present. Note grandchildren in parent-maintained

grandparents in parent-maintained that the grandmothers are even households are children of immigrant

households are older, in poorer more likely to be poor if the parent parents or foreign-born themselves,

health, and not as likely to be of the grandchild is not present in compared with only 13 percent of

employed, many are neither elderly addition to the absence of a grand- grandchildren in grandparentnor in poor health and are, in fact, father. Since men are more likely maintained households. This

working. These findings suggest to be in the labor force and tend to suggests that a sizeable portion of

that the stereotype of the sandwich earn more than women, the children of immigrant parents who

family may be somewhat overstated. absence of grandfathers in all of are living with their grandparents

Many of these grandparents are these families, and of fathers in are in families where their parents

capable of playing an active role in most of the families, is reflected in are providing support for two

the family, contributing to the family the higher percentage of generations of dependent family

income, and perhaps providing grandmothers who are poor.11 members.

child care for their grandchildren The same three family types that while the parents work. The age distribution of coresident are the most likely to be poor are grandchildren also differs in also the most likely to have black, grandparent-maintained and parent- 9

The proportions of employed grandfathers (33 11 maintained families. While half of percent) and grandmothers (24 percent) in par- In 85 percent of the parent-maintained, grand- ent-maintained households are not significantly mother-only, one-parent-present families, the the grandchildren living in homes different from each other. mother is that parent. Also, in 78 percent of 10For a discussion of the term “sandwich genera- grandmother-maintained, some parents present maintained by their grandparents

tion” see Dressel, Paula. 1996. “Grandparenting families, the mother is the only parent present. are under age 6, only about one- at Century’s End: An Introduction to the Issue.” Thus, the vast majority of these families do not

Generations 20:5-6. contain fathers. third of those in parent-maintained
6 P23-198

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2. Characteristics of Grandchildren Who Are Coresident With Grandparents: 1997

(Numbers in thousands. Percent distribution of characteristics)

Grandparent-maintained families Parent-maintained families

Characteristics

All

coresident

grandparent

families Total

Both Both Grand- Grandgrand- grand- mother mother

parents, parents, only, only,

some no some no

parents parent parents parent

Grandfather

only Total

Grand- GrandBoth mother mother

grand- only, two only, one

parents parents parent

Grandfather

only

Grandchildren, total (number)

Percent distribution of grandchildren

Race and Ethnicity

White, non-Hispanic

Black, non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Other, non-Hispanic

Age

Under 6

6 to 11

12 to 17

Gender

Male

Female

Nativity

U.S. born, U.S. parents

U.S. born, 1 foreign parent

U.S. born, 2 foreign parents

Foreign born

General State of Health

Excellent

Very good

Good

Fair or poor

Insurance Coverage

Private insurance

Public insurance only

No health insurance

Region of U.S.

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

Metropolitan Area Status

Central city

Suburbs

Nonmetropolitan area

Household Members Under 18

One

Two

Three or more

Earners in Household

None

One

Two

Three or more

Family Income/Poverty

Level

Under 50 percent of poverty

level

50 to 99 percent of poverty

level

100 to 149 percent of poverty

level

150 to 199 percent of poverty

level

200 percent or more of poverty

level

Household Public

Assistance

No public assistance

Any public assistance

program

School lunch program

Food stamps

AFDC, ADC, TANF, GA

SSI

Housing assistance

Energy assistance

5,435

100.0

42.5

30.1

18.2

9.2

46.0

30.9

23.1

48.8

51.2

77.7

6.7

12.8

2.9

40.7

29.0

25.7

4.6

39.5

31.3

29.2

20.1

16.1

39.3

24.5

37.8

44.5

17.7

29.2

31.8

39.0

11.7

26.2

32.4

29.7

9.2

14.9

13.7

12.9

49.2

48.1

51.9

37.5

26.6

20.6

14.9

7.4

5.2

3,894

100.0

42.4

35.9

16.5

5.1

50.8

28.8

20.4

48.3

51.7

86.7

6.0

5.8

1.5

39.6

27.8

27.5

5.2

30.3

36.3

33.4

18.7

16.9

43.3

21.1

38.9

41.3

19.8

31.9

29.2

38.9

14.4

27.3

28.0

30.3

10.7

16.2

14.6

13.5

45.0

43.8

56.2

40.0

30.3

24.5

15.5

8.5

6.7

1,241

100.0

51.7

18.8

21.0

8.5

66.3

24.5

9.2

51.1

48.9

80.1

9.1

9.6

1.1

42.2

28.1

26.5

3.3

38.2

31.7

30.1

19.1

15.0

38.2

27.7

31.1

51.4

17.5

32.4

34.8

32.9

4.1

14.6

22.7

58.6

1.5

10.1

11.2

14.8

62.4

58.7

41.3

26.0

20.3

18.1

9.9

2.0

3.8

598

100.0

58.0

22.3

15.2

4.6

36.1

28.9

35.0

43.3

56.7

87.8

4.3

6.1

1.7

40.4

30.3

24.4

4.9

18.6

27.2

54.2

17.6

19.1

44.8

18.4

23.9

43.4

32.6

48.2

15.2

36.6

11.3

31.9

35.1

21.7

6.8

8.2

15.8

14.5

54.7

50.7

49.3

34.1

20.0

20.8

13.2

3.6

2.9

1,144

100.0

35.6

48.6

12.5

3.2

56.7

26.6

16.7

48.6

51.4

90.2

4.7

3.5

1.6

42.3

25.7

27.2

4.8

38.1

36.8

25.2

15.5

18.7

49.6

16.2

44.2

35.6

20.2

27.6

31.4

41.0

10.7

31.6

37.7

19.9

11.5

18.0

17.5

15.0

38.0

39.8

60.2

40.3

37.6

26.4

16.9

7.5

7.0

669

100.0

19.3

62.7

14.7

3.3

27.1

40.0

32.8

45.8

54.2

92.7

4.2

2.1

0.9

34.6

26.5

29.5

9.4

14.0

52.8

33.2

24.2

17.7

44.0

14.0

60.4

26.6

13.0

24.6

24.7

50.7

43.9

37.9

11.3

6.9

29.4

33.4

16.8

7.6

12.8

15.6

84.4

73.5

48.3

40.3

28.1

26.3

17.4

242

100.0

52.3

23.8

20.6

3.2

45.6

29.8

24.7

50.8

49.2

84.2

5.5

6.1

4.2

24.9

33.0

36.6

5.5

27.5

34.3

38.2

18.9

9.4

34.8

37.0

31.2

51.8

16.9

30.0

37.9

32.1

10.6

31.8

37.1

20.5

12.0

11.1

9.6

13.7

53.7

47.2

52.8

32.5

22.5

14.1

8.7

9.4

0.0

1,541

100.0

42.6

15.2

22.6

19.5

33.7

36.4

29.9

50.1

49.9

55.0

8.3

30.5

6.2

43.4

32.2

21.2

3.1

62.5

18.8

18.7

23.7

14.3

29.0

33.0

35.1

52.5

12.5

22.3

38.2

39.5

4.8

23.5

43.5

28.2

5.4

11.8

11.5

11.4

59.9

59.1

40.9

31.1

17.3

10.5

13.4

4.5

1.3

246

100.0

38.7

3.2

20.0

38.2

49.0

33.8

17.2

39.9

60.1

43.7

7.7

45.7

3.0

53.4

26.9

16.3

3.5

66.4

16.3

17.3

20.8

7.2

23.8

48.2

33.3

50.7

16.0

32.1

26.9

41.0

0.9

11.7

38.9

48.4

2.1

9.6

10.7

3.9

73.7

69.7

30.3

20.4

10.1

2.5

5.3

0.0

0.0

630

100.0

49.0

7.9

21.4

21.7

25.8

38.5

35.7

55.5

45.5

48.1

10.0

32.4

9.5

42.1

35.1

19.4

3.4

75.3

9.2

15.5

25.6

12.6

22.8

38.9

29.7

62.6

7.7

21.1

37.8

41.1

0.8

12.5

57.3

29.4

0.0

8.0

7.6

11.7

72.7

68.1

31.9

24.4

10.8

4.1

12.7

3.6

1.3

396

100.0

26.6

40.7

23.7

9.0

39.4

33.7

26.9

43.1

56.9

68.1

6.2

22.4

3.3

35.7

27.0

34.0

3.2

42.6

37.0

20.4

25.5

21.2

41.2

12.1

50.4

35.1

14.6

24.4

39.1

36.5

15.1

47.2

27.3

10.3

17.4

21.4

19.1

15.7

26.4

32.3

67.7

52.4

37.9

30.4

22.2

11.2

2.9

269

100.0

54.9

5.9

26.5

12.7

29.7

38.2

32.1

57.2

42.8

62.1

8.1

23.9

5.8

48.8

38.2

11.0

2.1

58.2

17.0

24.7

19.1

14.3

30.4

36.2

26.6

56.1

17.3

12.9

48.3

38.8

2.5

25.2

39.4

33.0

3.6

8.4

10.4

11.2

66.4

67.9

32.1

25.2

8.7

3.5

9.7

0.9

0.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, March 1997 Current Population Survey.
P23-198 7

U.S. Census Bureau

families are this young. This is to status influence both of these assistance includes cash assistance

be expected — since grandparents components. Each of these (Aid to Families with Dependent

in grandparent-maintained families characteristics is related to family Children/Aid to Dependent Chiltend to be younger, on average structure. For example, the more dren — AFDC/ADC; Temporary Aid

their children would be younger, adult earners in the family, the more to Needy Families — TANF; or

and so would their grandchildren. income the family is likely to have, General Assistance — GA);

all else being equal. Also, the more Supplemental Security Income Grandchildren in grandparent- dependent children or grandparents (SSI); food stamps; free or reduced maintained families are more likely (nonearners) a family has, the more price school lunches; public or to live in the South and less likely people there are to support. In gen- rent-subsidized housing; or energy to live in suburban areas than are eral, men earn more than women. assistance. grandchildren in parent-maintained On average then, households with families — 43 percent compared Grandchildren in grandparent- grandfathers and/or fathers should with 29 percent. Only 41 percent maintained families are more be doing better than those with only of grandchildren living in their likely to be poor than other grandmothers and mothers. Thus, it grandparent's homes live in the children. is very important to consider family suburbs, while about half of those structure in assessing the well-being Of all children under the age of 18, living in their parent's homes are of grandchildren. 1 in 5 lives in a poor family com- doing so. pared with about 1 in 4 coresident We examine three aspects of well- Economic Well-Being of grandchildren.12 Coresident grand- being: (1) Poverty Status — whether Coresident Grandchildren children in homes maintained by the child lives in a family whose their parents are about equally as Does the economic well-being income in 1996 fell below the Fed- likely to be poor as all children — of coresident grandchildren differ eral poverty threshold; (2) Health 17 percent versus 21 percent by family type? Two factors are Insurance Coverage — whether (Figure 4A). But, for children in particularly important in deter- the child was without private or homes maintained by their grand- mining a family's economic status: public health insurance throughout parents, 27 percent are in poverty. (1) the total income of the family 1996; and (3) Public Assistance

and (2) the ratio of dependents to Receipt — whether anyone in the

earners in the family. The number household in which the child lives

of adult members in the family, received any of several types of 12Lamison-White, Leatha. 1997. “Poverty in the

and each member's age, gender, means-tested assistance in 1996. United States: 1996.” Current Population Reports

P60-198. Washington, DC: U.S. Bureau of the marital status, and labor force For our purposes, means-tested Census.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, March 1997 Current Population Survey

Figure 4A.

Percent of Children in Different Living Arrangements Who Are In Poverty,

Without Health Insurance, and Receiving Public Assistance: 1997

All children,

including

coresident

grandchildren

In grandparentmaintained

families

In parentmaintained

families with

coresident

grandparents

Coresident

grandchildren:

21

27

17

15

33

19

36

56

41

Family income

below poverty

Without health

insurance coverage

Household receiving

public assistance
8 P23-198

U.S. Census Bureau

Grandchildren in grandmother- maintained by two parents with a demonstrates this fact: grandmaintained families with no lone grandmother present, almost children in parent-maintained

parents present are the most all have at least one earner. families are twice as likely to have

likely to be poor. private health insurance as those in Grandchildren in grandparent- grandparent-maintained families. Coresident grandchildren living in maintained families are more This is true for at least two reasons:

homes maintained by a grandmother likely to be without health (1) most private health insurance is only with no parent present have the insurance than other children. obtained through employment, and highest poverty rate — 63 percent Overall, approximately one child (2) policy holders may have difficulty (Figure 4B). In parent-maintained in seven (15 percent) had no obtaining coverage for family families, 39 percent of those living health insurance in 1996 compared members other than spouses and in grandmother-only and one-parent with 29 percent of coresident children. Since there are more

(usually mother) families are poor. grandchildren. Grandchildren in earners in parent-maintained

parent-maintained households fare households, the likelihood of Note that these two family structures

do not contain grandfathers and better than those in grandparent- obtaining employment-based

maintained households. In parent- insurance is greater. In grandparent- the vast majority do not contain maintained homes, 19 percent of maintained households with no fathers either. parents present, grandparents may grandchildren had no health

Table 2 provides additional informa- have problems securing private insurance; but in grandparent- health insurance, especially if they do tion dealing with differences in fam- maintained homes, fully one-third not have legal custody. In fact, in the ily structure that helps explain why (33 percent) had no health insurance. absence of parents, grandchildren in grandmother-only families are Grandchildren living in homes grandparent-maintained families are more likely to be poor. For grand- maintained by both grandparents more likely to have public health children in homes maintained by a with no parent present are the insurance (usually Medicaid) or no single grandmother with no parent most likely to be without health health insurance at all — in 1996, 40

present, 44 percent have no earn- insurance — fully one-half were not percent had only public health

ers present, compared with 14 per- covered. insurance and 44 percent had no

cent in all grandparent-maintained One of the reasons that grand- health insurance at all.13

family types. Similarly, 15 percent children in parent-maintained

of the grandchildren in homes homes are more likely to have 13 The proportion of grandchildren in grandparmaintained by a single parent with health insurance is that their ent-maintained households with no parent

present who were covered by public health insura grandmother only present have families are better able to obtain ance (40 percent) is not significantly different

from the proportion who had no health insurance

no earners. But, if the home is private insurance. Table 2 (44 percent).

Figure 4B.

Percent of Grandchildren in Different Family Types Who Are In Poverty,

Without Health Insurance, and Receiving Public Assistance: 1997

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, March 1997 Current Population Survey

Family income

below poverty

Without health

insurance coverage

Household receiving

public assistance

12 15

30

63

23

12

8

39

12

Parent-maintained

families

Grandfather only

Both grandparents

Grandmother only,

two parents

Grandmother only,

one parent

Both grandparents,

some parents

Both grandparents,

 no parent

Grandmother only,

some parents

Grandmother only,

no parent

Grandfather only

Grandparent-maintained

families

30

25

54

33

38

68

30 32 32

17 16

20

25

41

60

49

84

53
P23-198 9

U.S. Census Bureau

Grandchildren in grandparent- Implications of These Findings A variety of forces shape and mold

maintained families are more changes in the American family. likely to live in households that Our analysis of data from the One such change is the increase in receive public assistance than March 1997 Current Population families with grandparents and other children. Survey (CPS) suggests that, while grandchildren in the same house- most grandparents and their About 52 percent of coresident hold. Clearly both positive and coresident grandchildren are not grandchildren lived in households negative forces act to create this experiencing severe economic that received public assistance living arrangement. This report has hardships, those in certain family compared with 36 percent of all chil- looked at some of the basic condistructures are at an increased risk. dren under 18 years of age (Figure tions in these families. The 2000

Grandparents and grandchildren in 4A). Grandchildren in parent-main- Decennial Census will include a

grandparent-maintained families tained households were less likely multi-part question addressing the are more likely to be poor than (41 percent) to have received pub- issue of grandparent caregivers. those in parent-maintained families. lic assistance in 1996 than grand- As these and other data become

And grandmother-child-grandchild children in grandparent-maintained available, we will continue to report families are the most likely to be homes (56 percent). on other aspects of these families. poor, whether the household is Table 2 shows the types of assis- maintained by the grandmother Source of the Data

tance that are most likely to be re- or the child. Note that the vast Most estimates in this report come

ceived by households with coresident majority of the “children” in these from data obtained in March 1997

grandparents and grandchildren. families are daughters. from the Current Population Survey

Grandchildren in these households (CPS). Some estimates are based

are most likely to receive Federal These same family types were on data obtained from the CPS in

school lunch program benefits and more likely than others to be earlier years and from decennial

somewhat less likely to get food receiving public assistance in 1996. censuses. The Bureau of the Census

stamps or cash welfare payments. As welfare reform time limits and conducts the CPS every month, alBecause public health insurance is family caps take effect, these fami- though this report uses only data

included in our measure of health in- lies will need to find new ways to from the March survey.

surance coverage, we do not include make ends meet. Definitions and explanations for the it in our measure of public assistance. Grandchildren in grandparent- various concepts and characteristics

As one would expect, the family type maintained families are more likely shown in this report from the CPS

most likely to be getting public assis- to be uninsured than all children. are now available to users on the Intance is the same as that which is the The lack of health insurance for ternet. Click on the “Glossary” link

most likely to be poor — grand- grandchildren in some grandparent- found at the end of each subject

parent-maintained families with maintained households is an area page listing CPS reports.

grandmother only, no parent present. of concern for both public policy In this family type, 84 percent of Accuracy of the Estimates and the practices of insurance grandchildren were in households All statistics are subject to sampling companies and employers. Part receiving some public assistance in error, as well as nonsampling error of this problem will be addressed 1996 (Figure 4B). such as survey design flaws, by the recently enacted Federal respondent classification and In an earlier study which examined child health insurance program. reporting errors, data processing grandchildren’s well-being in grand- The analysis of future survey data 14 mistakes, and undercoverage. The parent-maintained families, we will tell us how much of a problem Census Bureau has taken steps to used multivariate techniques to remains. minimize errors in the form of quality establish if family type is significantly Another issue that we are not able control and editing procedures to related to poverty status, health to examine is the challenge that reduce errors made by respondents, insurance coverage, and receipt of grandparent caregivers may face coders, and interviewers. Ratio public assistance when other in coping with the educational estimation to independent age-race- socioeconomic and demographic needs of their grandchildren. Our sex-Hispanic population controls variables are taken into account.15

data have shown that many partially corrects for bias attributable The relationships of family type to grandparents have not completed to survey under-coverage. However, the three grandchildren’s outcome

r high school. biases exist in the estimates when va iables persisted when we When they must

care for grandchildren in the ab- missed individuals have character- controlled for these socioeconomic

and demographic characteristics. sence of the children’s parents, istics different from those of intertheir “parenting” responsibilities viewed individuals in the same 14Casper and Bryson, op. cit. age-race-sex-Hispanic group 15 include ensuring that the grand- . The control variables we used were race and

Hispanic origin, householder’s age, age of grand- children make adequate progress Analytical statements in this report child, age of grandparent householder, number of

people younger than 18 in the household, grand- in school. These grandparents have been tested and meet statistical

parents’ education, grandparents’ work experi- ence in 1996, region of the U.S., and metropolitan may need support groups and standards. However, because of

area residence. For health insurance coverage educational assistance to enable methodological differences, use and receipt of public assistance we controlled for

family income relative to poverty level, too. them to cope with this challenge. caution when comparing these
10 P23-198

U.S. Census Bureau

data with data from other sources. Contacts User Comments

Contact Thomas F. Moore, Demo- Statistical Information Staff The Census Bureau welcomes the graphic Statistical Methods Division, pop@census.gov comments and advice of users of at 301-457-4215 or on the Internet at 301-457-2422 its data and reports. If you have thomas.francis.moore.iii@ccmail. Ken Bryson any suggestions or comments, census.gov for information on the kbryson@census.gov please write to: source of the data, the accuracy of 301-457-2416

the estimates, the use of standard Lynne Casper Chief, Population Division

errors, and the computation of lcasper@census.gov U.S. Bureau of the Census

standard errors. 301-457-2416 Washington, DC 20233