Question
When a family with children divorces, the visitation rights and privileges of both parents are specifically spelled out. But what about the rights of the grandparents? Should the grandparents have visitation rights to see their grandchildren? Should the grandparents be allowed to take their grandchildren to visit their home? Should the custodial parent have the right to prohibit the grandparents from seeing the grandchildren? What would you recommend in the situation where the father was abusive and is not allowed to see his children, but the grandparents want to see them? Should grandparents have the right to file for visitation rights in the court system? Explain your views.
Answer
The involvement of grandparents in raising grandchildren depends on each case and the traditions of different countries. For example, the phenomenon of the nuclear family is widespread in Asian culture. It implies that older generations do not interfere in the lives of their mature children, just as children are not responsible for the old age of their parents (Manalel & Antonucci, 1302). However, in European, Latin American, and other cultures, this approach is at odds with the age-old traditions. The whole family lives together, and everyone participates in the education of its youngest representatives. If we start from the second option, then we can classify cases into several groups.
Firstly, the situation with the father, who abuses children, through the prism of communication with the child of grandparents is quite contradictory. The upbringing of the father, as he turned out, is partly the merit of his parents; therefore, there is also a grain of hostile attitude in them. However, this is not always the case. Mental trauma leading to such behavior can be received during life, and the guilt of the parents and the guilt of the father himself, who needs treatment, is not here (Jappens & Van Bavel, 762). On the other hand, the sincere help of the father’s parents can help the mother in a difficult situation, who, in turn, may experience mental problems and try to protect children from them.
Secondly, at the legislative level in many countries, this moment has not been worked out. It is impossible to prohibit their grandparents from seeing a child since the divorce system is carefully spelled out only for immediate parents. All moral issues, except for overtly hostile behavior on the part of grandparents, speak for allowing a certain amount of time for meetings with mutual desire. In my opinion, this issue needs to be worked out in legal proceedings, as this will allow solving many possible potential problems and proceedings.
However, one should beware of the flow of new cases in the courts and the dissatisfaction of other relatives, whose rights, from their point of view, will also need to be introduced into the regulation at the legislative level. Naturally, suppose the matter concerns the first described group of divorces, then at this level. In that case, it is necessary to involve psychologists and experts who will help sort out the current conflict, find out the goals of each of the family members and choose the most favorable outcome for the child and everyone else.
Therefore, it is necessary to rely on a specific situation. In my opinion, a parent has the right to prohibit grandparents from seeing each other on the territory of their house or apartment, but taking this opportunity away would be overkill. The settlement of this issue at the legislative level would simplify the many problems. However, it created the likelihood of other dissatisfaction. Suppose the grandparents want to be involved in raising their grandchildren.
In that case, general therapy should be conducted with a family psychologist or expert who will help prevent possible conflicts, outline the personal boundaries of parents and children, and create favorable conditions for dating the grandchild. Resentment from a parent’s divorce can complicate the situation for grandparents. However, with a benevolent attitude and the possibility of sincere help, it is impossible to deprive a child of attention, and the opportunity to communicate with an adult loved one, in my opinion.
Works Cited
Jappens, Maaike, and Jan Van Bavel. “Relationships with grandparents and grandchildren’s well-being after parental divorce.” European Sociological Review, vol. 35, no. 6, 2019, p. 757-771.
Manalel, Jasmine A., and Toni C. Antonucci. “Beyond the nuclear family: Children’s social networks and depressive symptomology.” Child Development, vol. 91, no. 4, 2020, p. 1302-1316.