African-American mothers facing issues related to single parenthood and poverty. What are their strengths and challenges as parents? How are their families affected by frequent transitions between homes, jobs, and significant others? What is their experience with Early Head Start? What can other programs learn from their stories? The authors answer these and other questions, taking early childhood professionals on an evolving tour through these women's lives and giving readers in-depth, qualitative portraits they can use to inform their own work. Readers willexamine the influences of factors within the family, such as the childrearing beliefs and practices, the mothers' relationships with their parents, and the involvement of fathersexplore the impact of interactions outside the family, including relationships with friends, neighbors, and home visitorslearn about cultural and societal forces that support or hinder each family's well-beingget to know one mother, Andreya, through an extensive case study that examines her relationships, social influences, triumphs, and challenges Readers will also reflect on implications and lessons learned from the study, with the aid of expert commentary on research, practice, and policy. An essential resource for any early childhood professional, this compelling book gives readers critical insight into the many complex factors that affect any intervention with families in poverty.

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