Many Wisconsin grandparents raising their grandkids in recession

According to the most recent census data available, nearly three million children are being raised by their grandparents. That figure represents an 8 percent increase since the 2000 census. Much of the increase is being attributed to the bad economy over the past few years.

In fact, the increase in grandparent custody started in 2008 amid the recession and housing crisis. Many economists believe the housing crisis led to multiple generations of families sharing one roof. Then some parents needed to move to find employment elsewhere, leaving the children in the care of their grandparents. In other situations, the parents are very young and are either unable or unwilling to properly care for their children and grandparents fill the parental void.

There can be no doubt that generation gap issues can arise when a grandparent raises a child. Children assigned to do an Internet-based homework assignment may not find their grandparents are very familiar with the intricacies of the information superhighway. Conversely, grandparents may be baffled by their grandkids’ unwavering interest in Pokemon and Digimon. Despite differences in age, skill and interests, grandparents often make excellent caregivers.

However, in the past grandparents could very easily lose the right to visitation with their grandchildren if a parent’s parental rights were terminated. Thankfully, Wisconsin law recognizes the important bond between a grandparent and grandchild. Grandparents and great-grandparents who have maintained a relationship with a child similar to a parent-child relationship can request and receive visitation rights from a family law court when visitation is in the best interests of the grandchild.

Sources: Minnesota Public Radio, “Census: In recession, more grandparents raising grandkids,” Tom Robertson, 1/27/2011

Wisconsin Statutes Section 767.34