The Mothers' Circle: The Lived Experiences of Culture, Community and Care of Lower-Income Women In a Parenting Education and Family Support Program
Open Access
- Author:
- Ports, Joan Franklin
- Graduate Program:
- Adult Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Education
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- March 01, 2004
- Committee Members:
- Elizabeth Jean Tisdell, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Daniele D Flannery, Committee Member
Carol Ruth Nechemias, Committee Member
Kenneth Kyle, Committee Member - Keywords:
- family support
parenting education
community programs
motherhood - Abstract:
- ABSTRACT What motivates lower-income parents to participate in a particularly successful voluntary parenting education and family support program was the focus of this qualitative, phenomenological study. Sixteen mothers who were involved in a program for at least one year designed for parents/caregivers and their infants and young children were interviewed. The study's theoretical perspective was both psychological, in which parents' individual perspectives and motivations were examined, as well as sociocultural, in which the influences of family, neighborhood/community, and the program and staff were explored. The sociocultural standpoint also took into consideration gender, class, culture, and ability and how these positions within society influenced parents' participation in the program. The results of this study suggest that parents' wider social contextual environments that encompass family and neighborhood/community did influence their participation decisions. Variations in family support, and concerns and problems within the neighborhood/community were motivating forces. Positive program and staff attributes contributed to parents' desires to participate as well. This research further revealed that the program and staff addressed the needs of participants' by being attentive to issues involving gender, class, culture and ability through an environment that created community within the larger community. The program and staff also went way beyond just parenting education, by assisting and supporting mothers in identifying and confronting gender related issues, addressing lower-income families' needs for food, clothing, and shelter, being accepting of cultural beliefs and differences, and providing support and encouragement for those with special needs.