Research Topic Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Topic - Research Paper Example The role of custodial parents by the grandparents is a multiethnic issue as the literature review section will indicate. The research in discussion below will also point out the different effects the role of being custodial parents has on different individuals and especially the grandparents and the grandchildren and what efforts if any has the state taken to deal or assist in this matter. Literature Review Overview The US census results of year 2005 were the first to openly show interest in the growing number of grandparents who have become custodians of their grandchildren. According to those results, there was an average of 5.7 million grandparents living with their grandchildren and acting as their parents. In line with multiethnic issues, the results further indicated that of the 5.7 million grandparents, 8% were African Americans, 16% were Hispanics and the rest were Caucasians. In a large state like Colorado which also is a multiethnic state, the results are almost similar wit h those indicated nationally and this statistics have been on the increase (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). Theoretical model The best theory to explain the change of grandparents’ role to that of custodians of their grandchildren is the life course theory. ... According to Phua and Kaufman, 2008, it is with this light therefore that the life course of grandparents change and they now adopt the role of parents for their grandchildren. For the Hispanics and African American for example, the immigration, racial stereotypes and other ethnic difficulties of living in a foreign land contributes to the life course changes as it leads to changes in their social, cultural and structural lives which are contributing factors to the reasons why grandparents are left with custodial burden (Phua and Kaufman, 2008). Impacts of custodial grand parenting Numerous literatures have pointed out the impacts associated with this research topic to both the grandparents and the grandchildren. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and Population Reference Bureau, grandchildren who are in custody of their grandparents grow up with more emotional and behavioral problems compared to those raised by the parents (Scommegna, 2012). This is especially diff icult when it comes to adolescent grandchildren. The research also indicates that in homes where there is low income (mostly among African-Americans and Hispanics), the behavioral problems are likely to escalate. The problem however is not so rampant among the whites majorly because most of their custodial care starts when the children are young. Research findings by America Association for Marriage and Family Therapy indicate that grandparents also face their share of different impact. Some of these identified impacts include the legal problem and process of acquiring custody of their grandchildren. This is especially so in case of divorce where the parents are still alive. The other is the financial impact. Most grandparents are retired and therefore have no steady flow of