Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia

Alemneh Birhanu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia

Alemneh Birhanu

Published in International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 8, Issue 5)

Received: 5 August 2020 Accepted: 1 September 2020 Published: 14 September 2020

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Abstract

The aim of this research study was to examine challenges and its coping strategies that are experienced by grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. In order to investigate the research problem, a qualitative research method and snowball sampling design was applied with a total of 21 grandparents. Descriptive phenomenology was the approach employed for conducting this study. These research finding substantiated that there are many reasons why Grandparents find themselves in raising grandchildren. Some of the most common reasons are HIV/AIDS related death, mental illness, loss of job by their parents, a teen pregnancy, and other circumstances contribute to reasons children are being raised by grandparents. The result of the study also revealed that there are several challenges that encounter grandparents in raising grandchildren. More specifically, grandparents are found to experience social, economic, psycho-emotional challenges, such challenges made various obstructions for grandparents in raising their grandchildren. Findings from this study further indicated that even though grandparents are old enough and have health problems they have attempted to apply different mechanisms to cope their financial hardship to overcome the cost living condition to raise their grandchildren. generally, The results of the study show that the grandparents and their grandchildren have needs that call for greater attention to be given as the available services and service providers need to be attentive to their special needs and the need to expand the types and number of services provided for these grandparents and their grandchildren.

Published in	International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 8, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
Page(s)	105-112
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Grandchildren, Challenges, Coping Strategies, Grandparents

References

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[2]	Baxter, P., &Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers. West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: The Qualitative Report, 13 (4), 544-559.
[3]	Bell, J. (2005). Doing your Research Project. A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science. Fourth Edition. Berkshire: Open University Press.
[4]	Blocher, D. H., & Biggs, D. A. (1983). Counseling psychology in community settings. New York: Springer.
[5]	Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University press.
[6]	Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological Model of human development. In International Encyclopedia of Education, Vol. 3, 2nd Ed. Oxford: Elsevier. Reprinted in: Gauvain, M. & Cole, M (Eds.), Readings on the development of children, 2nd Ed. (1993, pp. 37-43). NY: Freeman.
[7]	Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, California, USA: SAGE publication.
[8]	Demaray M. K., & Malecki, C. K. (2003). Perceptions of the frequency and importance of social support in an urban area. A Journal of School Psychology, 32, (3), 471-489.
[9]	Emi, D. and Rachel, D. (2012). The Benefits of Parenting a Second Time around: Cornell University.
[10]	Help age international, (2011). A study of older people's livelihoods in Ethiopia.
[11]	Lewis, J. D. and Arndt, C. (2005). The Macro Implications of HIV/AIDS in South Africa: A Preliminary Assessment. African Journal of Economics, 68 (5), 380-392.
[12]	Lewis, S. (2007). Grandmothers to Grandmothers: The Dawn of a New Movement. Toronto: Canada.www.stephenlewisfoundation.org.
[13]	Lunga N R (2009). Challenges experienced by grandparents in raising their grandchildren in utrecht in kwa- zulu natal.
[14]	Mudavanhu, D., Segalo, P. & Fourie, E. 2008. Grandmothers caring for their grandchildren orphaned by HIV and AIDS. www.unisa.ac.za/contents/faculties/huDate of access: 23 Oct 2010.
[15]	Nhongo, T. M. (2004). The Changing Role of Older People in African Households and the Impact of Ageing on African Family Structures. The paper given at The Ageing Conference, Johannesburg 18th-20th August 2004. Retrieved 15 March 2007 from http://www.uaps.org/confageing/tavengwa.
[16]	Roe, K. M., &Minkler, M. (1999). Grandparents raising grandchildren: Challenges and responses. Generations, 22 (4), 25-34.
[17]	UNICEF (2007). Third South African AIDS Conference, 5-8 June. Retrieved 22 August 2007 from www.unicef.org/southafrica/resources.

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APA Style

Alemneh Birhanu. (2020). Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 8(5), 105-112. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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ACS Style

Alemneh Birhanu. Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2020, 8(5), 105-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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AMA Style

Alemneh Birhanu. Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2020;8(5):105-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13,
  author = {Alemneh Birhanu},
  title = {Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {5},
  pages = {105-112},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  abstract = {The aim of this research study was to examine challenges and its coping strategies that are experienced by grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. In order to investigate the research problem, a qualitative research method and snowball sampling design was applied with a total of 21 grandparents. Descriptive phenomenology was the approach employed for conducting this study. These research finding substantiated that there are many reasons why Grandparents find themselves in raising grandchildren. Some of the most common reasons are HIV/AIDS related death, mental illness, loss of job by their parents, a teen pregnancy, and other circumstances contribute to reasons children are being raised by grandparents. The result of the study also revealed that there are several challenges that encounter grandparents in raising grandchildren. More specifically, grandparents are found to experience social, economic, psycho-emotional challenges, such challenges made various obstructions for grandparents in raising their grandchildren. Findings from this study further indicated that even though grandparents are old enough and have health problems they have attempted to apply different mechanisms to cope their financial hardship to overcome the cost living condition to raise their grandchildren. generally, The results of the study show that the grandparents and their grandchildren have needs that call for greater attention to be given as the available services and service providers need to be attentive to their special needs and the need to expand the types and number of services provided for these grandparents and their grandchildren.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia
AU  - Alemneh Birhanu
Y1  - 2020/09/14
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
T2  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JF  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JO  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
SP  - 105
EP  - 112
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7420
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
AB  - The aim of this research study was to examine challenges and its coping strategies that are experienced by grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. In order to investigate the research problem, a qualitative research method and snowball sampling design was applied with a total of 21 grandparents. Descriptive phenomenology was the approach employed for conducting this study. These research finding substantiated that there are many reasons why Grandparents find themselves in raising grandchildren. Some of the most common reasons are HIV/AIDS related death, mental illness, loss of job by their parents, a teen pregnancy, and other circumstances contribute to reasons children are being raised by grandparents. The result of the study also revealed that there are several challenges that encounter grandparents in raising grandchildren. More specifically, grandparents are found to experience social, economic, psycho-emotional challenges, such challenges made various obstructions for grandparents in raising their grandchildren. Findings from this study further indicated that even though grandparents are old enough and have health problems they have attempted to apply different mechanisms to cope their financial hardship to overcome the cost living condition to raise their grandchildren. generally, The results of the study show that the grandparents and their grandchildren have needs that call for greater attention to be given as the available services and service providers need to be attentive to their special needs and the need to expand the types and number of services provided for these grandparents and their grandchildren.
VL  - 8
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Alemneh Birhanu

Department of Social Work, College of Social Science and Humanities, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Alemneh Birhanu. (2020). Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 8(5), 105-112. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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ACS Style

Alemneh Birhanu. Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2020, 8(5), 105-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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AMA Style

Alemneh Birhanu. Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2020;8(5):105-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13,
  author = {Alemneh Birhanu},
  title = {Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {5},
  pages = {105-112},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20200805.13},
  abstract = {The aim of this research study was to examine challenges and its coping strategies that are experienced by grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. In order to investigate the research problem, a qualitative research method and snowball sampling design was applied with a total of 21 grandparents. Descriptive phenomenology was the approach employed for conducting this study. These research finding substantiated that there are many reasons why Grandparents find themselves in raising grandchildren. Some of the most common reasons are HIV/AIDS related death, mental illness, loss of job by their parents, a teen pregnancy, and other circumstances contribute to reasons children are being raised by grandparents. The result of the study also revealed that there are several challenges that encounter grandparents in raising grandchildren. More specifically, grandparents are found to experience social, economic, psycho-emotional challenges, such challenges made various obstructions for grandparents in raising their grandchildren. Findings from this study further indicated that even though grandparents are old enough and have health problems they have attempted to apply different mechanisms to cope their financial hardship to overcome the cost living condition to raise their grandchildren. generally, The results of the study show that the grandparents and their grandchildren have needs that call for greater attention to be given as the available services and service providers need to be attentive to their special needs and the need to expand the types and number of services provided for these grandparents and their grandchildren.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Grandparents Challenges, Experience and Coping Strategy in Raising Grandchildren: The Case of West Showa Zone in Ambo Town, Ethiopia
AU  - Alemneh Birhanu
Y1  - 2020/09/14
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
T2  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JF  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JO  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
SP  - 105
EP  - 112
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7420
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20200805.13
AB  - The aim of this research study was to examine challenges and its coping strategies that are experienced by grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. In order to investigate the research problem, a qualitative research method and snowball sampling design was applied with a total of 21 grandparents. Descriptive phenomenology was the approach employed for conducting this study. These research finding substantiated that there are many reasons why Grandparents find themselves in raising grandchildren. Some of the most common reasons are HIV/AIDS related death, mental illness, loss of job by their parents, a teen pregnancy, and other circumstances contribute to reasons children are being raised by grandparents. The result of the study also revealed that there are several challenges that encounter grandparents in raising grandchildren. More specifically, grandparents are found to experience social, economic, psycho-emotional challenges, such challenges made various obstructions for grandparents in raising their grandchildren. Findings from this study further indicated that even though grandparents are old enough and have health problems they have attempted to apply different mechanisms to cope their financial hardship to overcome the cost living condition to raise their grandchildren. generally, The results of the study show that the grandparents and their grandchildren have needs that call for greater attention to be given as the available services and service providers need to be attentive to their special needs and the need to expand the types and number of services provided for these grandparents and their grandchildren.
VL  - 8
IS  - 5
ER  -

Copy | Download