Study of Three-Generational African-American Families, 1984-1986

The purpose of this study was to examine family members' perceptions of their own and other family members' childrearing involvement in diverse African-American family types. Special attention was given to the role of the grandmother in family life and to the nature of extended African-American families. Sixty-four African-American families residing in a southern university community were selected for participation in the study on the basis of family structure (e.g. single-parent or dual-parent families) and grandmother residence (e.g. grandmother living with the family or grandmother living in the local community). Participants were interviewed in their homes by two African-American researchers. Grandparents, parents, and children were all interviewed. Measures included a structured interview designed for the purpose of the study, the Bronfenbrenner Parental Behavior Scale, Moos' Family Environment Scale, the Household Task List, and the Performance of Childcare Duties Form. Variables assessed in this study were family structure; grandmother domicile; perceptions of family members' involvement in childcare, including parenting styles and participation in household responsibilities; attitudes towards family members' perceived involvement; attitudes about self and children's school performance; and family environment.