Australian Institute of Family Studies

Bibliographies

The following bibliography has been compiled from the Australian Family & Society Abstracts database and other resources held in the Institute's library. Where available a link to the document on the Web is provided. Most items can be borrowed from the Institute's library via the inter library loan system. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Updated November 2008

Grandparents

Grandparents' role in families and child care

The changing role of grandparents. (2006).
Ochiltree, G.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, (AFRC briefing no.2), Online only.

Three main changes to grandparents' roles over the last couple of decades are the increased provision of child care while parents work or study, taking full responsibility for bringing up grandchildren when parents are unable to do so, and changes brought about by parents divorce and repartnering. This paper explores these changing roles and considers ways in which service providers can support grandparents. It discusses financial and legal issues, child development and behaviour management, and grandparent lifestyle and health issues.

 

Children's views of their world. (2007).
Briggs, F.
New Zealand Research in Early Childhood Education, 10, 3-13.

Data for this research into children's views were gathered through interviews with Australian and New Zealand children between the ages of five and eight. The children were asked about a wide range of social, moral and safety issues, including school and family relationships, the responsibilities of parents, grandparents and children, cultural understanding, knowledge about birth, death, police and politics, and the influence of media and technology. This article presents a selection of the research findings on the following topics: how children view 'the family' today; how children spend their out of school time; children's views on and relationships with grandparents; religion; children's thoughts about school; involvement in decision making at school; and what children can and cannot talk about with their teachers. The article explains the research methodology and stresses the importance in research into children of listening to what children have to say about their lives.

 

Grandfathers: Their changing family roles and contributions. (2006).
Wilton, V., & Davey, J. A.
Wellington, NZ: Families Commission, (Blue Skies report no 3/06), and Online.

Research from around the world on the role of grandfathers is analysed, and the situation of grandfathers in New Zealand examined. The report discusses demographic trends and social change, the roles of grandfathers and grandmothers, New Zealand information on grandparents, older men and gender roles, life course development, the experience of grandfatherhood, grandfathers as surrogate parents, ethnic differences, and grandfathers and intergenerational factors.

 

Grandparenting: Present and future. (2007).
Families Australia.
Barton, ACT: Families Australia, (Family issues no.2), Online only.

The following issues for Australian grandparents and grandchildren are identified and addressed in this report: grandparents as carers; grandparents providing childcare; grandparents not seeing grandchildren; the needs of grandchildren. The report summarises the results of a forum on grandparenting, a focus group consultation and other consultations and research. Its recommendations recognise that many grandparents, especially those with primary caring responsibilities for grandchildren, would benefit from more financial, social and emotional support and from more information about where to get help.

 

Grandparents, grandchildren and the generation in between. (2006).
Ochiltree, G.
Camberwell, Vic: ACER Press.

The book is about aspects of grandparenting, using research interpretation, personal opinion and observation, and accounts and case studies of people's experience. It examines the role of the contemporary grandparent; child care, babysitting and time with grandchildren, including grandparents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; grandparents bringing up grandchildren; grandchildren after divorce and remarriage; challenges of diversity such as lesbian and gay families, grandchildren with disabilities, and death of a grandchild; child development, behaviour management and parenting.

 

Grandparents speak 2004: A report of a national survey of grandparents. (2004).
Grandparents Australia Inc.
Kensington, Vic: Grandparents Australia Inc.

In 2004 Grandparents Australia Inc. carried out a survey investigating grandparents' experiences of and attitudes towards their role. The key findings and recommendations to emerge from the survey are presented in this report. The report covers various responses to issues of family and community, and education. These responses inform the recommendations for national level, state level and local government initiatives on child and youth policy, and community strategies.

 

Grandparents' viewpoints on child care. (2006).
Goodfellow, J.
Every Child, 12(1), 8-9.

Results from a study of the views of 32 grandparents who cared for their grandchildren on a regular basis are presented in this article. The following topics are discussed: relationship building, attitudes to child care services, and consumerism and the commodification of children.

 

Intergenerational science: Grandparents encouraging children's curiosity. (2004).
Jane, B., & Robbins, J.
Every Child, 10(4), 8-9.

Many grandparents think they are not doing anything special with their grandchildren and some underestimate their ability to be effective in the grandparenting role. This article examines ways in which grandparents are supporting children's science learning and other benefits of the grandparent child relationship for children and for grandparents.

 

Multiple child care arrangements in Australia. (2004).
Qu, L., & Wise, S.
Family Matters,(69), 56-61, and Online.

The majority of Australian children will use some form of non parental child care before entering school. However, little attention has been paid to the combinations of care types that children use across early childhood and the reasons why parents make these child care decisions. In this article, the authors focus on one aspect of children's child care experiences that has only recently received attention in empirical research in Australia, namely the phenomenon of multiple child care, or 'multicare'. Multiple child care arrangements or multicare refers to the situation where children are using two or more different child care arrangements in a given week, for example long day care and care by a grandparent.

 

The rise of three-generation households among two-parent and single-parent families. (2007).
Brandon, P. D., Heyworth, C., & Griffen, L.
In HILDA Survey Research Conference 2007: Papers
Parkville, Vic: Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, and Online.

This study examined the formation of three generation households among children living with one and two parents. Using panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, analyses suggested that certain child, parent and household predictors increased or decreased odds that grandparents would eventually co reside with grandchildren and their adult children. The strongest predictors of co residence or non co residence were the ages of children and mothers, maternal nativity status and earnings, and household size. This study revealed several factors salient to children's entries into three generation households, which despite an ever increasing prevalence, are still poorly understood. (Author abstract)

 

Shared care: Not so harmful after all. (2005).
Sutherland, K.
Rattler, (73), 12-13.

Many parents now supplement their child care with shared care, such as long day care plus a grandparent. This article discusses results from the study, Child Care Choices, undertaken by Macquarie and Charles Sturt Universities and the Australian Institute of Family Studies, which demonstrates that multiple care could result in a better adjusted child. It considers effects of care by grandparents on child and parent well being and on attachment.

 

Young children and their grandparents. (2005).
Gray, M., Misson, S., & Hayes, A.
Family Matters, (72), 10-17.

Grandparents have always played an important role in raising children and in family life in general. However, very little is known about the role that grandparents play in the lives of Australian children. With data from the Growing Up in Australia study, the authors provide estimates of the extent to which young children have contact with their grandparents including: living with grandparents; face-to-face contact; child-grandparent contact after parental separation; and regular care by grandparents. They find that there are very few children who have no face-to-face contact with at least one grandparent. The paper also explores the quality of relationships between children and grandparents and compares it to that between centre-based carers and the children in their care.

 

Grandparents' contact with grandchildren after divorce

Caught in the crossfire: Grandparents' contact after separation. (2003).
Hetherington, J.
In 8th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, 12-14 February 2003: Proceedings.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, Online only.

On a daily basis, families all around Australia appear in the Family Court of Australia, seeking that the Court make decisions about who their children will live with known as 'Residence' and how often their children will see the other parent. Whilst some parents are able to resolve these issues by negotiation and frequently, by compromise, many are unable to agree on what is best for their children. In the midst of the heat of a Family Court battle, there is something of a forgotten element. The Grandparents. A recent study has shown that contact with grandparents can help children adjust to divorce. This paper discusses contact between grandparents and their grandchildren after separation, in particular their legal standing and suggestions how they can best maintain a relationship with their grandchildren. It attempts to explain the legal position and offer practical solutions. (Author abstract)

 

Children's contact with grandparents after divorce. (2004).
Ferguson, N.
Family Matters,(67), 36-41, and Online.

The recent Australian parliamentary inquiry into 'joint custody' flagged the potentially important role that grandparents can play in the lives of their children and grandchildren. This article considers the Inquiry's recommendations in the light of current research in the UK. The author's qualitative study highlights the impact of pre separation grandparent-grandchild relations on post separation relationships, and suggests that reforms in this area should be mindful of the need to balance the interests of all family members while prioritising the child's best interests.

 

Giving fathers a fairer go: Inside the family law revolution that's offering hope to disgruntled dads. (2005).
Williams, D.
Time, (11), 48-57.

A network of Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) is to be set up throughout Australia to complement proposed amendments to the Family Law Act. FRCs will offer counselling to separating parents, to help them work out a parenting plan before going to court. This article explores the experiences of non resident fathers under the current adversarial family court system, and describes the proposed family law reforms and the role of FRCs in supporting them. As well as compulsory mediation between parents before going to court, the proposed amendments include greater court consideration of equal child contact for each parent, stricter enforcement of penalties for breaching contact orders, greater recognition of grandparents' rights, more judicial discretion operating to achieve speedier outcomes and reduce conflict, more input from children.

 

Grandparenting in divorced families: Report of an AIFS seminar. (2004).
Pattenden, R.
Threshold, (82), 28-29.

At an Australian Institute of Family Studies seminar on 16 October 2003, Neil Ferguson presented the results of a three year qualitative research study on grandparenting in divorced families carried out at Cardiff University, South Wales. Interviews were conducted with parents, children and maternal and paternal grandparents, exploring participants' perceptions of the impact of divorce on grandparenting and the grandparent role. This article summarises the methodology, scope and findings of the study.

 

Keeping in contact: The role of Family Relationship Centres in Australia. (2006).
Parkinson, P.
Child and Family Law Quarterly, 18(2), 157-174.

The new Family Relationship Centres are designed to assist parents to prevent relationship breakdown, assist separating parents and grandparents with parenting arrangements and child support issues, and provide advice and mediation services. This article provides an overview of the development of, and the functions of, the centres. It discusses concern about fatherless families, the report of the 2003 parliamentary inquiry into child custody arrangements in the event of family separation, debate about a tribunal, the emergence of the idea of Family Relationship Centres, and the centres' focus on early intervention.

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren

Exploring social care: Applying a new construct to young carers and grandparent carers. (2007).
Cass, B.
Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42(2), 241-254.

This paper uses theoretical frameworks of social care - care as labour; care as a relationship embedded in obligation; and care incurring a range of costs - to explore two case-studies: young carers aged up to 24 years who are most often caring for a co-resident parent, and grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren. This analysis of the international literature and Australian research data affirms the power of the social care framework, and also shows the influence of social policy settings on informal care provision. (Journal abstract, edited)

 

Grandparent-headed families in Australia. (2007).
Horner, B., Downie, J., Hay, D., et al.
Family Matters, (76), 70-84.

Grandparent-headed families are increasingly prevalent in Australia and are one of the fastest growing forms of out-of-home care of children with the public welfare system. However, there is minimal information regarding the characteristics and experiences of Australian grandparent-headed families who assume care through the intervention of child protection services, or those who arrange parental care of their grandchildren privately. Evidence is needed on which to build a policy or service framework to address the health and wellbeing of these grandparents, and ensure quality and safe care of children and young people who are no longer able to live with their biological parent(s).

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren because of alcohol and other drug issues. (2007).
Baldock, E.
Family Matters, (76), 70-75.

In 2003, there were 22,500 families in Australia where grandparents were raising grandchildren. Many of these are due to substance abuse problems by the children's parents. This article explores the issues faced by these grandparents, which include health and ageing related issues, impacts on family relationships, legal and custody problems, social isolation, lifestyle upheaval, physical and emotional stress, and financial hardship and disadvantage. The children and their parents are also affected. In response, the article outlines the policy and service recommendations of the Canberra Mothercraft Society, which include early intervention and government financial assistance.

 

Grandparents parenting grandchildren because of alcohol and other drugs. (2006).
Baldock, E., & Petit, C.
Curtin, ACT: Canberra Mothercraft Society.

The Supporting Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren of Families Affected by Alcohol and Other Drugs project aimed to raise the visibility of these grandparents, identify their needs, strengthen family resilience and enhance current services for grandparents. This report describes the development, implementation and evaluation of the project. The project began in 2004 and used an action research methodology.

 

Grandparents parenting their grandchildren. (2005).
Orb, A., & Davey, M.
Australasian Journal on Ageing, 24(3), 162-168.

This study aims to describe the perceptions of grandparents who parent their grandchildren on a full time basis. The study involved 17 grandparents, including four couples. The findings indicated that grandparents parenting their grandchildren found that this unexpected role brought several emotional, social and financial problems into their lives. They actively looked for resources that could provide them with support to overcome the stressors of their parental role. Many expressed concerns about the future of their grandchildren and frustration when they were dealing with government institutions. (Journal abstract, edited)

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren. (2004).
Fitzpatrick, M.
Melbourne, Vic: COTA National Seniors Partnership, (Strategic ageing: Australian issues in ageing no.17), Online

In June 2003 the Federal Minister for Children and Youth Affairs commissioned research into the issues faced by grandparents who act as primary carers for their grandchildren. COTA National Seniors Partnership carried out the research project, collecting data from grandparents across Australia through workshops, forums and questionnaires. This report presents the experiences of grandparents raising grandchildren, summarises the project findings and puts forward a set of recommendations. The report includes a copy of the questionnaire used in the data collection.

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren. (2004).
Giles, J.
Families Australia Bulletin (5), 8-9, Online

A project conducted with grandparents raising grandchildren from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, SA and WA examined their support mechanisms, financial and legal issues, and concerns about the well being of their grandchildren. The author summarises the following: the financial benefits these grandparents are entitled to; Centrelink procedures; personal financial difficulties; parenting issues; legal issues and complexities of the legal systems.

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren. (2003)
Council of the Ageing
Report commissioned by Larry Anthony and prepared by COTA, Online

The project, funded from the Commonwealth Government’s Child Abuse Prevention Program sought the views of grandparents who are raising grandchildren full-time or who are primary carers for extended periods, on their existing support mechanisms, any additional support they may require, the financial and legal issues they may be facing and concerns they may have about the well being of their grandchildren. Respondents spoke of the need for greater recognition and support for grandparents acting as primary carers, including financial assistance, legal recognition, access to legal aid and respite care.

 

Grandparents raising their grandchildren. Snapshot 2007.
Mission Australia.

Growing numbers of grandparents are taking on the role of primary caregiver for their grandchildren. Drawing on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian and international research literature, and the practice wisdom of Mission Australia service providers, this brief report offers an overview of reasons for taking on this role, the prevalence of grandparent-grandchild families, and the types of formal and informal arrangements in which the care is provided. It also discusses the following issues facing grandparents in their caring role: financial resources, legal and parenting issues, social supports, and health and wellbeing. Current initiatives, and gaps in support for grandparents and in research, policy and program development are identified.

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren: A new class of disadvantaged Australians. (2004).
Fitzpatrick, M., & Reeve, P.
Relatewell, 8(2), 3-6.

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Study investigated how grandparent carers deal with various issues involved in raising their grandchildren. This article explains how most of the children came to be in the care of their grandparents, and presents some findings from the study related to legal and financial issues, aged parenting, lack of children's and family services, and grandparents' relationships and health.

 

Grandparents raising grandchildren: Formation, disruption and intergenerational transmission of attachment. (2006).
Connor, S.
Australian Social Work, 59(2), 172-184.

Nationally and internationally, grandparents support their children and grandchildren by caring for those children who may be at risk in their own home, often in the contemporary context for extended periods. Attachment theory provides a framework to consider how the lives of children, parents and grandparents are affected when grandchildren come to live with their grandparents, whether it be on a shared basis or as a long-term arrangement. The concept also provides a guide to supporting each generation in the contemporary context, as formal or informal arrangements. (Journal abstract)

 

Grandparents-as-parents: Social change and its impact on grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. (2006).
Backhouse, J.
In C. Hopkinson & C. Hall (Eds.), Social Change in the 21st Century conference proceedings 2006.
Brisbane, Qld: Centre for Social Change Research, Queensland University of Technology, and Online.

To date, very little research has been conducted into grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Australia. This paper arises from a qualitative study which explores the impact of social change on 30 grandparent headed families who are raising their grandchildren in New South Wales. Data from the study reveals that grandparents who are raising their grandchildren derive many benefits from taking on the caregiving role of their grandchildren. However they also face numerous challenges. Preliminary conclusions indicate the need for a large range of interventions to address the many emotional, social and economic concerns affecting grandparents as parents. (Author abstract, edited)

 

Supporting carers of other people's children: A handbook on support for foster, relative and kinship carers and the children and young people in their care. (2006).
Gurney, R., & Orr, B.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Foster Care Association Inc, and Online.

Government payments and allowances available to foster, relative and kinship carers in Australia are outlined. The report covers: Carer payment; Carer allowance; Information for foster carers on income support payments; Documents that Centrelink will look for in relation to Welfare to Work exemptions; Inside journey through foster care; Child Support Scheme; Child Care Benefit; Grandparent Child Care Benefit; Child Care Tax Rebate; Double Orphan Pension; Features of foster carers: child centred altruism, commitment, persistence and empathy; Family Tax Benefit; Caring for Indigenous kids; Maternity payment; Maternity immunisation allowance; Multiple birth allowance; Foster children's passports; Legal aid; Assistance for isolated children scheme; Large family supplement; Foster children and Medicare cards; Concession cards for children and young people in foster care; Parenting Payment; Newstart Allowance; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care; ABSTUDY; Foster care associations; Transition to Independent Living Allowance; Youth Allowance; and Support information for each state and territory.

 

Understanding grandparent care: Policy and practice implications of grandparents as primary carers of their grandchildren in the Australian context. (2007).
Brennan, D., Cass, B., Hampshire, A., et al.
In Australian Social Policy Conference 2007.
Sydney, NSW: Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Online only.

This power point presentation provides an overview of grandparents raising grandchildren in Australia. It outlines the prevalence of grandparent primary care in Indigenous and non-Indigenous families and the financial, legal, health, social, and relationship issues the grandparents can face. Future research directions, the social care framework for analysing grandparent care, and Mission Australia's Nowra Grandparent Program are also mentioned.

 

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