Throughout my work with minority
youth I have come into contact with a variety of families. In particular I found it astonishing how many
African American children were members of a single mother household. The prevalence of African American single
mother homes in the United States is astounding. African American women whom undertake the
role as a single parent are faced with significant challenges, considering the
fact they are the sole economic and parenting provider within the home. The daunting task these women face include a
complicated and stressful balancing act between ensuring economic stability for
the home while also providing quality parental care and attention to their
children. Unfortunately, the stress of
this overwhelming responsibility can be too much to handle for some, which can
ultimately affect the psychological wellbeing of children raised in a single
mother household.
Examining the condition of single
mothers further, it is evident that there are a number of factors that can both
positively and negatively affect the role of a single mother. Specifically, Kotchnick, Dorsey, and Heller
(2005) found that the degree of neighborhood stress is associated with both
parenting quality of single African American mothers and psychological
functioning of their children. In the
context of a neighborhood that is ridden with crime and negative influences
coupled with inadequate parenting can lead to difficulties in children’s
psychological functioning. Kincaid,
Jones, Cuellar, and Gonzalez (2011) found this to be especially true for girls
who lack a positive female role model due to inadequate parenting and the
absence of positive role models in their community. Consequently, the difficulties in
psychological function oftentimes lead to externalizing behaviors, especially with
the comorbidity with anxiety and depression (Garai, Forehand, Colletti, and
Rakow, 2009).
Beyond the influence the
neighborhood can have on the psychological functioning of African American
children raised in a single mother home, the mother’s psychological also plays
an important role. Kincaid, Jones,
Cuellar, and Gonzalez (2011) found that a high degree of maternal psychological
control is positively correlated with child maladjustment problems. On the other hand, optimism expressed by
single African American mothers can have positive effects on child adjustment
and lower internalizing symptoms. Chester,
Jones, Zalot, and Sterrett (2007) examined a sample of single African American
mothers and found that positive parenting practices were associated with lower
externalizing behaviors, and the opposite for negative parenting practices. These studies exemplify the importance of
maintaining a high quality in parental care despite the challenges experienced
by single mothers, which include a mother’s attitude and approach to life.
Support from adult figures other
than mothers in a single parent household also has the potential to affect the
wellbeing of a child. Choi and Jackson
(2011) found in their study that in cases when fathers spent more time with
their child, problem behaviors were less likely to occur. Although fathers may not be romantically
involved with the mother of their child, the partnership that they share is an
influential factor. However, it is not
uncommon to become absent in process of raising a child, leaving room for
others to step into a parental role.
However, the presence of an additional parental figure does not
necessarily lead to positive outcomes for children. Shock, Jones, Dorsey, and Brody (2010)
demonstrate the quality of interactions between African American single mothers
and their parent can affect a child’s competence and maladjustment behaviors. Similar to two parent households, a child
will have difficulty managing stress and building healthy relationships if they
consistently witness their mother fighting with her partner.
Other than support from fathers or
the partner of a single mother, family and friends can also help alleviate the significant
stress of single African American mothers.
Family and friends who demonstrate support both financially but more
importantly psychological improve positive outcomes for children raised in a
single mother home (Woody & Woody, 2007; Jones, Zalot, Sterrett, and
Chester, 2007). Delivering the message
through support that a single mother is not alone can decrease feelings of
isolation and feeling overwhelmed.
Knowing that support is available can help ease the mind of a single
mother, which contributes to her attitude, energy, and quality of interaction
she has with her children.
I remain hopeful regarding the
outcome for African American children raised in single mothers, as in both my
experience and research of the topic it is clear that a number of positive
factors can truly make a difference. In
programs working with single mothers, the emphasis on support and community are
critical influences that can significantly ease the challenges for single
mothers. Encouraging single mothers to
maintain positive relationships with family, friends and romantic partners is
an approach I believe to be effective.
Hopefully through continued dissemination of research analyzing the role
of social support for African American single mothers with also lead to an
increase in positive outcomes for children raised in these families.
References
Chester,
C., Jones, D. J., Zalot, A., & Sterrett, E. (2007). The psychosocial
adjustment of African American youth from single mother homes: The relative
contribution of parents and peers. Journal Of Clinical Child And Adolescent
Psychology, 36(3), 356-366.
Choi,
J., & Jackson, A. P. (2011). Fathers' involvement and child behavior
problems in poor African American single-mother families. Children And Youth
Services Review, 33(5), 698-704.
Garai,
E. P., Forehand, R., Colletti, C. M., & Rakow, A. (2009). The role of
anxiety/depression in the development of youth high risk behaviors: An
examination of two competing hypotheses in a sample of African-American, single
mother families. Journal Of Psychopathology And Behavioral Assessment, 31(4),
340-346.
Jones,
D. J., Zalot, A. A., Foster, S. E., Sterrett, E., & Chester, C. (2007). A
review of childrearing in African American single mother families: The
relevance of a coparenting framework. Journal Of Child And Family Studies,
16(5), 671-683.
Kincaid,
C., Jones, D. J., Cuellar, J., & Gonzalez, M. (2011). Psychological control
associated with youth adjustment and risky behavior in African American single
mother families. Journal Of Child And Family Studies, 20(1),
102-110.
Kotchick,
B. A., Dorsey, S., & Heller, L. (2005). Predictors of Parenting Among
African American Single Mothers: Personal and Contextual Factors. Journal Of
Marriage And Family, 67(2), 448-460
Shook,
S. E., Jones, D. J., Forehand, R., Dorsey, S., & Brody, G. (2010). The
mother–coparent relationship and youth adjustment: A study of African American
single-mother families. Journal Of Family Psychology, 24(3), 243-251.
Sterrett,
E., Jones, D. J., Forehand, R., & Garai, E. (2010). Predictors of
coparenting relationship quality in African American single mother families: An
ecological model. Journal Of Black Psychology, 36(3), 277-302.
Woody,
D., & Woody, D. J. (2007). The significance of social support on parenting
among a group of single, low-income, African American mothers. Journal Of
Human Behavior In The Social Environment, 15(2-3), 183-19.
Zalot,
A. A., Jones, D. J., Forehand, R., & Brody, G. (2007). Self-regulation and
conduct problems among low-income African American youth from single-mother
homes: The roles of perceived neighborhood context and child gender. Journal
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