A Socio-Historical Examination of Race, Gender, and Class in Single-Parent African American Mothers of Delinquent Youth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Ray
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Single Parent ◽  
Delinquent Youth ◽  
African American Mothers ◽  
Historical Examination

Qualitative Descriptions of Middle-Class, African American Mothers’ Child-Rearing Practices and Values

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 868-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Curenton ◽  
Jocelyn Elise Crowley ◽  
Dawne M. Mouzon
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
African American Mothers ◽  
Family Friendly ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
American Children ◽  
Decision To Stay ◽  
The Cost

During qualitative phone interviews, middle-class, mostly married African American mothers ( N = 25) describe their child-rearing responsibilities, practices, and values. They explain (a) why they decided to stay home or take work leave to attend to child rearing, (b) how they divided child-rearing responsibilities with their husbands/romantic partners, (c) whether they faced unique parenting challenges raising African American children, and (d) whether they identified as feminists. Responses revealed the decision to stay home or take work leave comprised values about gender roles, concerns about the cost and/or quality of child care, and the availability of family-friendly workplace policies. Most couples shared child-rearing responsibilities, although mothers admit to doing more. Their unique parenting challenge was protecting their children from racism, stereotyping, and discrimination. Only one third of the mothers identified as being feminists. These results have implications for furthering our knowledge about African American coparenting from a positive, strength-based perspective.

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