Growing Up Without Grandparents - Cause For Grief

by Pralay

Many sons/daughters of immigrants grow up with the same shortcoming; that is they do not know their grandparents. Since your parents have left their native country, they left behind their huge social family network including parents, brothers/sisters.

Recently, there are cases where immigrant families have a family network in their new country. This is because immigration by Asians into the United States have grown. But when my father immigrated, 1960s, there were very few Indians in the United States and he was all alone.

This leaves a child growing up feeling isolated. In the United States, where family generations stretch back as many as 6-7 generations; they have a huge family network. A child of an immigrant may grow up only knowing his/her parents and siblings.

What is the biggest void to their lives? Grandparents!

Grandparents offer knowledge. Children feast off of their experience and learn from the mistakes of their elders.

Grandparents offer spoiling. Grandparents love to spend money on their grandchildren. They love to spoil them with toys. Spoil them at the dinner table... where else does ice cream substitute for rice and chicken?

Grandparents offer nurture. Your parents are always busy worrying about their jobs and finances but grandparents are always there to care for you and love you.

Grandparents offer Parental Support. When your parents are in a rut either financially or emotionally, your grandparents are there to support your parents. But with many immigrant families, things get tight. Money becomes an issue. And survival is key.

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