Grandmothers: A Learning Institution - Basic Education and Policy ...

THERE IS LIMITED DOCUMENTATION OFGRANDMOTHERS’ ROLES.Analysis and documentation of grandmothers’roles in different societies is quite limited.The results of many studies on differentchild development topics either completelyignore, or give minimal attention to,grandmothers’ roles and influence at thehousehold level. This can be explained inpart by negative stereotypes of grandmothersheld by many developmentorganizations and in part by the narrowmodels used as a basis for data collection.PREVALENT ASSESSMENT METHODOLO-GIES FAIL TO EXAMINE HOUSEHOLDROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS.The methodologies used in formative studieson child development topics mostoften focus narrowly on individual knowledge,attitudes, and practices (KAP) ofwomen/mothers. There is a need foralternative assessment methods based ona more systemic, anthropological frameworkthat looks at social structures, roles,and relationships in households that influenceattitudes and practices related tochild development. In a more systemicapproach, grandmothers’ experience androles at the household level would certainlybe analyzed.GRANDMOTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO CUL-TURAL CONTINUITY.The cultural dimension of developmentprograms has generally been neglected,though there is a growing concern that thisis a dangerous trend that can contribute tothe loss of cultural values and identity.Grandmothers play a critical role in transmittingcultural values and practices toyounger generations, thereby contributingto the maintenance of cultural identity inan increasingly culturally homogeneousworld.GRANDMOTHERS’ PLAY AN INFLUEN-TIAL ROLE IN CHILDREN’S DEVELOP-MENT ACROSS CULTURES.While documentation on grandmothers’roles is relatively limited, the available evidencedoes show that in virtually all nonwesternsocieties in Africa, Asia, LatinAmerica,The Pacific, and in indigenous culturesin North America and Australia, seniorwomen, or grandmothers, play a centralrole in child-rearing. In all of these societiesthey are looked to as advisors of theyounger generations based on their ageand experience, though in many cases theirstatus is diminishing. Across cultures thereare a series of core roles played by grandmotherswhile at the same time there isconsiderable variability in their culture-specificbeliefs and practices.FEW CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSEXPLICITLY INVOLVE GRANDMOTHERS.In spite of the fact that grandmothers playa significant role in all aspects of childhealth and development at the householdlevel, few child development programshave explicitly identified and involved themas key actors. This review analyzes theextent to which they have been involvedin five key program areas related to childdevelopment: early childhood development,primary school education, maternaland child health and nutrition, childhygiene, and HIV/AIDS. It was concludedthat in all of these areas the involvementof grandmothers has been very limited.xiiUNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT