Grandmothering While Black: A Twenty-First-Century Story of Love, Coercion, and Survival

Sociologist LaShawnDa L. Pittman examines the complex lives of Black grandmothers raising their grandchildren in skipped-generation households, prioritizing their voices through in-depth interviews and ethnographic research. She explores the forces that compel, constrain, and support Black grandmothers' caregiving, showcasing a fundamental change in the relationship between grandmother and grandchild. The book reveals the overwhelming and painful decisions Black grandmothers must make to ensure the safety and well-being of the next generation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

In her groundbreaking book, Grandmothering While Black, sociologist LaShawnDa L. Pittman delves into the intricate lives of Black grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren in skipped-generation households, where only grandparents and grandchildren are present. Through in-depth interviews and ethnographic research conducted at various sites such as doctor's visits, welfare offices, school and daycare center appointments, caseworker meetings, and more, Pittman prioritizes the voices of Black grandmothers, seeking to understand the challenges and complexities they face in their caregiving roles.

Through a meticulous examination, Pittman explores the myriad forces that both compel and constrain Black grandmothers in their caregiving endeavors. She sheds light on the paradoxical situation in which grandmothers must fulfill the social and legal functions of motherhood without the legal rights associated with the role. This book serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of Black grandmothers as they navigate the complexities of caregiving while facing legal marginalization and making difficult decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of the next generation.

Grandmothering While Black offers valuable insights into the strategies employed by grandmothers to manage their legal marginalization in relation to their parents and the state across various caregiving arrangements. It reveals the overwhelming and painful choices that Black grandmothers must make to safeguard the well-being of their grandchildren. This book serves as a call to action, shedding light on the need for greater support, recognition, and resources for Black grandmothers in their caregiving journey.

By highlighting the experiences of Black grandmothers, Grandmothering While Black contributes to the broader understanding of family dynamics and the role of grandparents in society. It challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about older generations and emphasizes the importance of valuing and supporting the contributions of all family members. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of caregiving and the experiences of marginalized communities.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520389953