The Garden of Eves: Non-Kin Social Support Among Low-Income African American Single Mothers in a Public Housing Community

In many ways, findings from this study are similar those reported in studies conducted in low-income areas of large cities. Single mothers frequently identified tangible support as essential to their survival, and pointed to family members as their primary providers of support. However, they also discussed some of the inherent complexities of relying on families for support. In addition, even in the context of a small city there was evidence for restriction of neighbor relations, as reported in studies conducted in large metropolitan cities. However, while there was no global support network of non-kin mothers within Prairie Gardens, most participants exchanged vital resources with at least one other single mother in the public housing community. This small non-kin network of support seemed strategically chosen based on the promise of reciprocity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Reid, Amanda H.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Allen, Nicole E.

• Black Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3363136

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/82180