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In the News: Madonna Harrington Meyer

Harrington Meyer discusses new book on Colgate University podcast

University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer and alumna Ynesse Abdul-Malak ’13 MA (Soc)/’17 PhD (Soc) of Colgate University discuss their research related to grandparents caring for grandchildren with disabilities in an episode of 13, a bi-weekly podcast from Colgate University.
November 4, 2020

Physical Health Impacts of Grandparenting Children with Disabilities

Ynesse Abdul-Malak, Madonna Harrington Meyer

For many grandparents, caring for their grandchildren makes them feel younger, mostly because they are more physically active and maintain healthier diets.

October 14, 2020

Harrington Meyer quoted in Christian Science Monitor article on working parents, COVID-19

"A lot more grandparents are deciding to burst their bubble," to see or care for their grandchildren.
July 10, 2020

Dean’s Office, CPR fund summer project assistantships

Eleven faculty members will receive awards from the Maxwell School to support emerging research projects this summer.
June 24, 2020

Grandmothers at Work during Coronavirus

Madonna Harrington Meyer

COVID-19 is reshaping the lives of working grandmothers in the U.S. This brief draws on in-depth interviews and grandmothers’ stories to show how the coronavirus is redefining the lives of working grandmothers.

May 1, 2020

Complementary projects on food insecurity funded by Russell Sage

The Russell Sage Foundation has announced funding for two complementary projects related to food insecurity among older adults, and conducted by Maxwell faculty members. One is a qualitative assessment funded at $48,191 and led by Madonna Harrington Meyer, University Professor of Sociology, while the other, funded for $34,997, involves quantitative analysis, conducted by Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs. These complementary projects, which are expected to result in a book-length manuscript, will assess the social, political, and economic dimensions of old-age food insecurity.
March 3, 2020

See related: Grant Awards

Harrington Meyer discusses intensive grandparenting in Christian Science Monitor article

"Historically, grandparents have always provided care," says University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer. "What we’re seeing now is grandparents providing care that looks a lot more like parenting: more hours and more tasks."

September 20, 2019

Maxwell announces promotions, tenure for six faculty

“The faculty promoted are nationally recognized scholars, outstanding teachers, and engaged in making their work accessible to broader audiences in an effort to shape future research, and dialogue and practice,” said David M. Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School.

August 27, 2019

Harrington Meyer discusses intensive grandparenting on Wharton podcast

University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer discusses grandparents who are taking on tasks that have, until recently, generally been the purview of parents. So, in addition to the sublime pleasures of grandparenting, many grandparents are now also feeling high levels of stress and strain as grandparenting intensifies.

August 22, 2019

Harrington Meyer discusses benefits of Fresh Air Fund in Democrat & Chronicle article

"Initially created to give children a break from the dirty smokestacks of NYC, the Fresh Air Fund now emphasizes giving children from underserved communities a break from drugs, violence, or gangs," writes University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer.

August 20, 2019

Harrington Meyer comments on intensive grandparenting in NY Times

"My mom told the seven of us to go outside and play," University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer recalled. "Today’s mom says, ‘Get in the van and I’ll drive you from Spanish camp to violin lessons.’ The idea is to cultivate your child, give them every possible advantage, and it clearly spills over to the intensification of grandparenting." Harrington Meyer was interviewed for the New York Times article "When Grandparents Help Hold It All Together." 

July 24, 2019

Madonna Harrington Meyer named University Professor

The prestigious distinction—a four-year, renewable appointment—is granted to faculty who excel in their fields and who have made extraordinary scholarly contributions as judged by their peers nationally and internationally. “Professor Harrington Meyer’s work is focused on some of the most persistent, difficult and relevant issues facing our society. Her research and teaching challenge us to think through and find solutions that better our communities,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly. 

July 22, 2019

Harrington Meyer book Grandmothers at Work cited in LA Times

According to University Professor Harrington Meyer, grandmothers often share child-rearing duties and ease the childcare burden of working parents, a role that has only been increasing.

May 14, 2019

Harrington Meyer paper on Social Security reform published in RSF Journal of Social Sciences

Pamela Herd, Melissa M. Favreault, Madonna Harrington Meyer & Timothy M. Smeeding
March 9, 2018

Harrington Meyer discusses grandparents as caregivers in 55 Plus

"A lot of times, the adult children bring up the topic of payment," says Madonna Harrington Meyer, professor of sociology, in an interview about grandparents caring for their grandchildren.

January 30, 2018

Gerontology: Changes, Challenges, and Solutions

Madonna Harrington Meyer
December 31, 2016

See related: Mental Health

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