Final answer:
The role of grandparent becomes particularly crucial during the extended family phase, often due to parental inability to care for their child. This can be due to substance abuse, incarceration, or other reasons that leave the child in need of a stable guardian. Grandparents then step in, assuming a significant role in their grandchildren's lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of grandparent is often added during the extended family phase of family structure. This situation may arise when a parent becomes unable to care for their child due to various circumstances such as drug abuse, incarceration, or abandonment. In the United States, many households used to be multigenerational, with grandparents offering wisdom and supporting their families, often helping to raise their grandchildren. The contemporary relevance of grandparents is highlighted by the fact that a considerable number of children live with a guardian who is neither their biological nor adoptive parent. In these scenarios, grandparents may step in to provide primary care for their grandchildren, becoming critical figures in their upbringing and development, and serving as primary transmitters of cultural values. This role enhances the extended family system and is becoming an increasingly common aspect of family dynamics in modern society.