Latino Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Cultural Assets and Support Strategies

TL;DR

Latino grandparents raising grandchildren face unique challenges and can benefit from support strategies that respect their cultural values.

Contribution

The paper highlights how Latino cultural values can be leveraged as assets to improve support for grandparent caregivers.

Findings

Latino grandparents raising grandchildren often rely on cultural values like familismo due to mistrust in formal services.

Incorporating cultural practices into support strategies can improve outcomes for these grandparent caregivers.

Mutual aid and culturally informed approaches are crucial for addressing service gaps in this population.

Abstract

The prevalence of Latino grandparents raising grandchildren continues to rise. In 2019, an estimated 1 out of 7 Latino children lived with a grandparent, and 1.6% were being raised solely by a grandparent, with no parent in the home. Despite the high prevalence of these grandfamilies, they remain under-researched and underserved. Limited research shows that cultural values such as familismo, machismo, and marianismo significantly impact their experiences. Effective supports should consider and incorporate Latino cultural values. In a climate where formal support services are becoming more limited and are often inappropriate for Latino grandparent caregivers, there is a greater reliance on and need for mutual aid. This is crucial as there is often reluctance to engage with formal service networks due to mistrust and fear of repercussions. By understanding how Latino culture influences the lived experiences of these grandparents, researchers and practitioners can become trusted allies. They can help Latino grandparent caregivers leverage their cultural assets to address the service and support gaps they may be experiencing. This presentation will begin with a summary of how Latino cultural practices such as multigenerational living, the grandparent role in helping to raise grandchildren, and a woman’s role in caring for the family can impact the experiences of Latino grandparent caregivers’ experiences both positively and negatively. It will conclude with suggestions on ways Latino cultural values can be incorporated as cultural assets for effective supportive strategies for Latino grandparents raising grandchildren.