Editorial: Parenthood (the sequel)

OPINION: A Families Commission report hammering the importance of recognising and valuing the contribution of grandparents bringing up grandchildren isn't talking about a hearty vote of thanks, writes The Southland Times in an editorial.

It's talking about more effort going into resourcing, informing and consulting grandparents because so many of them are once again stepping up for the heavy lifting duties of parenthood.

This invites a conclusion that the middle generation is increasingly missing in action; a view supported by the fact that most grandparents raising their grandchildren said it was because the parents were unable or unwilling to care for their children. (Most? It remains a faint puzzle what the remainder might have said.)

Before we airily conclude that the parents are proving a feckless generation, the Changing Roles report highlights that family structures have been becoming more complex, through separations, remarriages, and increasing mobility.

Traditionally, grandparents have never been work shy and it is no more true now than it has been for generations that as much as they can help, they tend to be only too happy to do so.

Nevertheless, the burdens do seem to be increasing alarmingly for significant numbers of them.

And the dynamic is changing. People are becoming grandparents younger, and are working longer. Gone are the days of widespread retirement at 60, and increasingly their jobs are pushing past 65.

We might hold to the jaunty image of hooting oldies driving around in cars with "Spending the Kids' Inheritance" bumper stickers, but many grandparents – whether still couples themselves or sole survivors – are effectively becoming born-again parents, without necessarily having planned for the role, or being well placed for it.

Part of the solution will be to ensure that grandparents who are this deeply involved in Parenthood II are made more aware of their legal rights and eligibility for financial support.

A group, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, commissioned its own research by former Massey University social work lecturer and researcher Jill Worrall. It surveyed 200 families in which couples had custody of their grandchildren and last year found half of them were earning less than $29,000 a year and struggling to pay their food and power bills.

Some were going to bed hungry to ensure their grandchildren had food, or not going to the doctor because of the expense. Some were even being physically abused by their young charges.

Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett can point to an increase in the unsupported-child benefit, effectively bringing it into line with caregivers receiving a foster care allowance, and to 500 places in respite camps for children being cared for by family members.

But one of the most appealing calls in the Families Commission report is for grandparents, themselves, to have more of a say in the development of the very policies and services that affect them. Seems fair.

This won't, in itself, mean that there's any more money to go around. It may, however, stop the rest of us treating like sideline voices older New Zealanders who are, in fact, hip-deep participants in getting done a job that is simply crucial to the present and future wellbeing of this country.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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