Parenting Practices of Low Income African American Mothers Residing in High-Risk Neighborhoods
Across ethnicity, authoritarian parenting has been commonly associated with negative parenting and demanding, directive, and non-responsive discipline. Research indicates that authoritarian parenting styles may have positive implications for some African American families depending on contextual factors such as neighborhood residence. African American parents residing in high risk areas may employ authoritarian parenting practices to keep their children safe from negative neighborhood influences. While considerable research has been focused on specific parenting practices fewer studies have examined how parenting practices are influenced by subcultural beliefs and neighborhood conditions. This study uses a family resiliency framework to examine the childrearing values and goals, desired child outcomes, childrearing challenges, and parental practices of African American mothers residing in high risk neighborhoods. The data was collected using in-depth, qualitative interviews. The study found that the mothers had specific values and goals for their children: namely, respect and responsibility. The outcomes most desired by the mothers were to have their children attend college, get a good job, have a stable family, and avoid pregnancy. Key challenges included limited finances, premature pregnancy, and neighborhood dangers. These findings demonstrate the significance of subculture and neighborhood context in African American parenting styles.