This chapter draws upon 14 years of related ethnographic studies to uncover the principal features that characterize family life among the poor. Experiences dealing with multiple agencies are discussed, as well as experiences dealing with health problems in the context of the U.S. medical care system, and the aftermaths of household emergencies. 34 references.
This chapter reviews how theorists and policymakers portray the state’s capacity to alter the behavior and beliefs of low income parents and then highlights findings from a study of two women’s experiences in their efforts to find jobs and supportive resources. Finding a job and securing welfare supports were linked to their parenting pathway, however, the mothers’ first concern was their children’s well-being. The chapter concludes by exploring whether the motivating power of raising children might lead to a more effective family policy. 34 references. (Author abstract modified)
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Part of a series of brochures on parenting, this brochure is designed to assist Pennsylvania parents who are in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. It begins by urging parents to understand that change is frightening, conflict between recovery needs and the needs of the family may surface, partners and children need to recover too, children often blame themselves for addictions or relapses, and a new family is being created. Tips are provided for using what has been learned in recovery to be a better parent, and for using self-talk to change feelings and behavior.
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Part of a series on parenting for parents in Pennsylvania, this brochure explains how parents with mental illnesses can become the best parents they can be. It urges parents to learn as much as they can about their illness, take care of themselves, follow their treatment plan, find out what their rights as a mental health services consumer are, get support from others, help their children learn about their illness, talk about emotions with their child and get counseling for them if they need it, provide a stable and consistent home, play with their children, avoid giving children adult roles…
Want to know the secret to making sure your child feels loved? Kids desperately need to know how much you love them. But if you don't know their special "love languages" you might as well be speaking gibberish. Every child (like every adult) expresses and receives love best through one of five communication styles. Find out which one of these your child speaks:* QUALITY TIME * WORDS OF AFFIRMATION * GIFTS * ACTS OF SERVICE * PHYSICAL TOUCHIf your love language is different from your children's, you'd better learn to translate-- fast. Or you could miss your chance to meet their deepest…
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This CD-ROM contains information on how strategies presented in the Parenting Wisely series are successfully implemented. Parenting Wisely (PW) is a self-administered, computer-based program that teaches parents and their children important skills to enhance relationships and decrease conflict through behavior management and support. The program is designed to improve child adjustment and has the potential to reduce delinquency, substance abuse, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. The program uses an interactive CD-ROM in which parents view video scenes of common family problems…
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Journal Article Prenatal parenting attitudes and parenting behaviors during infancy and early childhood were used as predictors of attachment in children of adolescent mothers at ages 1 and 5. Seventy-eight adolescent mother - child dyads participated. Data were collected at five time points from the third trimester of pregnancy through the children's 5th year. A high percentage of children exhibited disorganized and insecure attachment during both infancy and early childhood; only 30% were securely attached at 1 year and 41% at 5 years. Quality of maternal interactions and cognitive readiness to parent…
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Journal Article Based on adolescent mothers' reports, longitudinal patterns of involvement of young, unmarried biological fathers (n = 77) in teenage-mother families using cluster analytic techniques were examined. Approximately one third of fathers maintained high levels of involvement over time, another third demonstrated low involvement at both time points, and the final third started out highly involved at Wave 1 but decreased to low levels of involvement by Wave 2. Multinomial logistic analyses suggest that mothers' positive relationships with both the father and his family predict a greater likelihood…
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Journal Article The use of group interventions with parents to prevent child maltreatment and to support positive parenting has been demonstrated to be effective. This article describes an experiential group approach to working with fathers in diverse settings. The format provides both content about parenting and a context for fathers to develop their own '"voice'" as parent through a combination of leader directed parenting education and opportunities for participant fathers to build positive supportive relationships with one another. In this article, the curriculum for this group approach is described,…
This handbook for parents describes general patterns of adolescent growth and development and strategies for child rearing. It begins by explaining the changing role of a parent of a teenager, common challenges when raising adolescents, and parenting techniques. Information and worksheets are provided that address communication with teenagers, emotional and physical changes in teens, changes in social life and thinking ability, peer pressures, strategies for building self-esteem in adolescents, talking about sexuality and drugs, conflicts and discipline, and managing stress.
