Gender and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

Using a life course perspective that emphasizes the impact of cumulative inequalities on grandmothers who care for grandchildren with disabilities, we use in-depth interviews to assess work and retirement patterns. Over 50% of U.S. grandparents provide financial assistance to their adult children and grandchildren; 39% provide grandchild care; and 31% help with errands, housework, and home repairs (Livingston and Parker 2010). These rates are higher for the 17% of US children who have disabilities (CDC 2017). Why do US grandparents do so much? Igel and Szydik’s (2011) comparison of different country policies found that where state supports to working families are more extensive, grandparents provide less care. The US lacks federal policies that guarantee paid sick days, vacations, or parental leaves, subsidized childcare, or health insurance. We identify three work and retirement patterns. (1) Many alter their work schedules, using paid time off to care for their grandchildren, coming in late, leaving early, bringing grandchildren to work, calling in sick, using vacation days, bringing work home, or working weekends to provide care for their grandchildren with disabilities; (2) Some work more years or hours than they need to minimize grandchild care; and (3) Some retire earlier than they can afford to care for grandchildren with disabilities. Over ¼ of our respondents either stop working or reduce work hours. As cumulative inequality theory suggests those with the greatest resources and the fewest demands tend to fare well, those with the fewest resources and the greatest demands tend to experience adverse impacts.

Biography

Madonna Harrington Meyer is University Professor at Syracuse University. She is professor of sociology at the Maxwell School of Public Affairs and Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence. She is senior research associate at the Center for Policy Research, faculty affiliate at the Aging Studies Institute, and Faculty Research Affiliate at the Lerner Center. She is co-author and editor of numerous books including, with Ynesse AbdulMalak, Grandparenting Children with Disabilities (2020).