Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Strengthening Homeless Parents with Young Children Through Meaningful Parent Education and Support

  • Published:
Early Childhood Education Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Homeless parents of young children confront several barriers to developing effective parenting skills and dispositions. Perhaps the major barrier is that of the negative stereotype that many people use to label them. They also often have not had positive parent role models and in many cases have had to deal with the issues of violence. Parent education and support strategies can play a key role in helping homeless parents develop positive and nurturing parenting skills.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anooshian, L. (2005). Violence and aggression in the lives of homeless children: A review. Aggressive and Violent Behavior, 10(2), 129–152. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2003.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Astbury, J., Atkinson, J., Duke, J., Easteal, P., Kurrle, S., Tait, P., et al. (2000). The impact of domestic violence on individuals. Medical Journal of Australia, 173, 427–431.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aviles, A., & Helfrich, C. (2004). Life skill service needs: Perspectives of homeless youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(4), 331–338. doi:10.1023/B:JOYO.0000032641.82942.22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Backer, T., & Howard, E. (2007). Cognitive impairments and the prevention of homelessness: Research and practice review. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 28, 375–388. doi:10.1007/s10935-007-0100-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassuk, E., Perloff, J., & Dawson, R. (2001). Multiply homeless families: The insidious impact of violence. Housing Policy Debate, 12(2), 299–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, V., Hans, S., & Percansky, C. (1991). Advocating for the young child in need through strengthening the parent–child relationship. Journal of Clinical Child Psychiatry, 20(1), 28–41. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2001_5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (2005). Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catalogue for Philanthropy. (2007). Parenting resources associates. Lexington, MA: Parenting Resources Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorzka, P. (1999a). Homeless parents: Parenting education to prevent abusive behaviors. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 12(3), 101–109. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6171.1999.tb00053.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorzka, P. (1999b). Homeless parents’ perceptions of parenting stress. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 12(1), 7–16. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6171.1999.tb00036.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M., & Lynch, E. (2004). Understanding families: Approaches to diversity, disability, and risk. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J., Buehlman, K., & Caldwell, K. (2000). Training personnel to promote quality parent–child interaction in families who are homeless. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 20(3), 174–185. doi:10.1177/027112140002000306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Killian, C. (2000). Extending the extended family for homeless and marginally housed African American women. Public Health Nursing, 17(5), 346–354. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1446.2000.00346.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klass, C. (1996). Home visiting: Promoting healthy parent and child development. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knitzer, J., & Lefkowitz, J. (2005). Resources to promote social and emotional health and school readiness in young children and families. New York: National Center for Children in Poverty (Columbia University, School of Public Health).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohler, J., Anderson, E., Oravecz, L., & Brown, B. (2004). Relationship constellations and dynamics of low-income rural mothers. Affilia, 19(2), 160–173. doi:10.1177/0886109903262772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krumer-Nevo, M. (1998). What’s your story? Listening to the stories of mothers from multi-problem families. Clinical Social Work Journal, 26(2), 177–193. doi:10.1023/A:1022871018520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K., & Fowler, M. (2007). Parenting skills and family support programs for drug-abusing mothers. Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 12, 134–142. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2007.01.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Letiecq, B., Anderson, E., & Koblinsky, S. (1998). Social support of homeless and housed mothers: A comparison of temporary and permanent housing arrangements. Family Relations, 47(4), 415–421. doi:10.2307/585272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, E. (1998). The impact of homelessness and shelter life on family relationships. Family Relations, 47, 243–252. doi:10.2307/584973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, E. (2000). Social work with homeless mothers: A strength-based solution-focused model. Journal of Family and Social Work, 4(1), 59–78. doi:10.1300/J039v04n01_06.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, R. (1994). Hopes, dreams, and promise: The future of homeless children in America. New York: Institute for Children and Poverty.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, R., & Collignon, K. (2000). Supporting family learning: Building a community of learners. In J. Stronge & E. Reed-Victor (Eds.), Educating homeless students: Promising practices (pp. 115–133). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, R. (2005). A framework for understanding poverty. Highlands, TX: AHA Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plant, R., & King, P. (1995). The family resource center: A community-based system of family support services. In B. Ryan, G. Adams, T. Gullotta, R. Weissberg & R. Hampton (Eds.), The family-school connection: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 92–111). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, D. (1988). Toward an understanding of the program variable in comprehensive parent support programs. In H. Weiss & F. Jacobs (Eds.), Evaluating family programs (pp. 267–286). New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, D. (1998). Reweaving parents into the fabric of early childhood programs. Young Children, 53(5), 60–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raikes, H., & Thompson, R. (2005). Efficacy and social support as predictors of parenting stress among families in poverty. Infant Mental Health Journal, 26(3), 177–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reed-Victor, E. (2000). Resilience and homeless students: Supportive adult roles. In J. Strong & E. Reed-Victor (Eds.), Educating homeless students: Promising practices (pp. 99–114). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rioux, J., & Berla, N. (1993). Innovations in parent and family involvement. Princeton Junction, NJ: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosier, K. (2000). Mothering inner-city children: The early school years. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skowron, E. (2005). Parent differentiation of self and child competence in low-income urban families. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(3), 337–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, N. (2006). Empowering the “unfit” mother: Increasing empathy, redefining the label. Journal of Women and Social Work, 21(4), 448–457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Styron, T., Janoff-Bulman, R., & Davidson, L. (2000). “Please ask me how I am”: Experiences of family homelessness in the context of single mothers’ lives. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 9(2), 143–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swick, K. (2004). The dynamics of families who are homeless. Childhood Education, 80(3), 116–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swick, K. (2005). Helping homeless families overcome barriers to successful functioning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(3), 195–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swick, K. (2007). An Evaluation Report on the Spartanburg School District 7 Even Start Program. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, College of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swick, K., & Bailey, L. (2004). Communicating effectively with parents and families who are homeless. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(3), 211–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toohey, S., Shinn, M., & Weitzman, B. (2004). Social networks and homelessness among women heads of household. American Journal of Community Psychology, 33(1/2), 7–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torquati, J. (2002). Personal and social resources as predictors of parenting in homeless families. Journal of Family Issues, 23(4), 463–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torquati, J., & Gamble, W. (2001). Social resources and psychological adaptation of homeless school aged children. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 10(4), 305–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitbeck, L., Simons, R., Conger, R., Wickrama, K. A. S., Ackley, K., & Elder, G. (1997). The effects of parents’ working conditions and family economic hardships on parenting behaviors and children’s self-efficacy. Social Psychology Quarterly, 60(4), 291–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin J. Swick.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Swick, K.J. Strengthening Homeless Parents with Young Children Through Meaningful Parent Education and Support. Early Childhood Educ J 36, 327–332 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-008-0274-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-008-0274-z

Keywords

Navigation