@article {9097, title = {Life events and Black-White differences in adult children{\textquoteright}s financial assistance to mothers.}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {58}, year = {2018}, month = {2018 Sept 04}, abstract = {

Background and Objectives: Parents who experience life events with negative economic consequences may rely on adult children for financial assistance. This study provided national estimates of Black and White mothers{\textquoteright} financial help from adult children. It also examined whether the Black-White difference in the likelihood of a mother{\textquoteright}s receipt of financial assistance persisted after accounting for life events reflecting parental need and children{\textquoteright}s ability to provide help.

Research Design and Methods: The Health and Retirement Study was used to examine late middle aged (51-70) Black and White mothers{\textquoteright} financial help from adult children. Cross-sectional point estimates of financial help from noncoresident and coresident children were based on pooling these data. Random effects logistic regression at the mother-wave level was used to estimate the likelihood of receipt of financial assistance from noncoresident children.

Results: On average, 9\% (8\%) of Blacks and 3\% (4\%) of Whites reported help from noncoresident (coresident) children in a given interview wave, but Blacks received lower amounts. Changes signifying greater parental financial need and noncoresident children{\textquoteright}s greater resources were positively associated with receiving financial help from noncoresident children. After accounting for these factors, race differences remained.

Discussion and Implications: Black mothers are more likely to rely on children for financial help than Whites. Since this help hinges on the ability of their children to provide, the strength of Blacks{\textquoteright} economic safety net as they age also depends on the socioeconomic well-being of the younger generation.

}, keywords = {Financial aid, Parents, Racial/ethnic differences}, issn = {1758-5341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnx069}, author = {Sung S Park} } @article {9515, title = {Step-grandparenthood in the United States.}, journal = {Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, volume = {73}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, abstract = {

Objectives: This study provides new information about the demography of step-grandparenthood in the United States. Specifically, we examine the prevalence of step-grandparenthood across birth cohorts and for socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups. We also examine lifetime exposure to the step-grandparent role.

Methods: Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and the Health and Retirement Study, we use percentages to provide first estimates of step-grandparenthood and to describe demographic and socioeconomic variation in who is a step-grandparent. We use life tables to estimate the exposure to step-grandparenthood.

Results: The share of step-grandparents is increasing across birth cohorts. However, individuals without a college education and non-Whites are more likely to become step-grandparents. Exposure to the step-grandparent role accounts for approximately 15\% of total grandparent years at age 65 for women and men.

Discussion: A growing body of research finds that grandparents are increasingly instrumental in the lives of younger generations. However, the majority of this work assumes that these ties are biological, with little attention paid to the role of family complexity across three generations. Understanding the demographics of step-grandparenthood sheds light on the family experiences of an overlooked, but growing segment of the older adult population in the United States.

}, keywords = {Adult children, Family Roles/Relationships, Grandparents}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbx164}, author = {Jenjira J Yahirun and Sung S Park and Judith A Seltzer} }