Grandmothers As Caregivers: Raising Children of the Crack Cocaine Epidemic by Minkler and Roe

Grandmothers as Caregivers: Raising Children of the Crack Cocaine Epidemic by Minkler and Roe

1. Be able to explain the 5 different ways that grandmothers cope with this situation.

2. Why didn't the grandmothers draw more upon additional family support as a coping strategy?

3. Are the 5 ways of coping managing the situation, the meaning of the situation, or managing the symptoms of stress? Which of the coping mechanisms is most effective?

4. What special considerations or difficulties exist in raising children of the crack epidemic?

5. What were the special rewards of raising their grandchildren?

6. What sort of government assistance were the grandmothers eligible for?

7. What were the economic implications for the grandmothers?

8. What policy changes would you suggest to best improve the situation for everyone involved?

9. Are the grandmothers heroes? Do you blame the real parents? Who or what do you blame?