Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
Running Head: Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
History has shown us the devastating effects of stress on the African-American family; especially the African-American woman who is economically disadvantaged. Her role as mother and provider are often overwhelming as she is responsible for rearing-children, managing family affairs and oftentimes is the sole financial provider of the family. In an economically improvised society, this task is often challenging and stressful. There are times she is stressed beyond her personal limitation. Studies discussed later in this paper confirm that a support system such as kin support, positively impact her parenting practices and her well-being. Statistics are very clear in painting a bleak picture, one of repeated failures and doom. However, to adequately understand the stress and the parenting practices of a low-income African-American woman, we must take a closer look at the effects of stress on her and the challenges facing her as a parent. We will also review one positive factor associated with her well-being and parenting practices.
According to a quote in an article entitled Health Disparities and Stress by Nevid & Rathus (2003), “Stress is the physiological demand placed on the body when one must adapt, cope, or adjust (Nevid & Rathus, 2003). Stress can be a good thing because it helps keep a person alert, however extreme or extended stress can overwhelm the physical body which is not good.
The effects of stress on the African-American woman have proven to be enormous and even deadly. According to Dr. Tracy Scott (2008), “stress is the number one health problem facing African Americans.” She also states that the daily struggle of dealing with chauvinism
Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
adds to the elevated and possibly fatal levels of
Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
History has shown us the devastating effects of stress on the African-American family; especially the African-American woman who is economically disadvantaged. Her role as mother and provider are often overwhelming as she is responsible for rearing-children, managing family affairs and oftentimes is the sole financial provider of the family. In an economically improvised society, this task is often challenging and stressful. There are times she is stressed beyond her personal limitation. Studies discussed later in this paper confirm that a support system such as kin support, positively impact her parenting practices and her well-being. Statistics are very clear in painting a bleak picture, one of repeated failures and doom. However, to adequately understand the stress and the parenting practices of a low-income African-American woman, we must take a closer look at the effects of stress on her and the challenges facing her as a parent. We will also review one positive factor associated with her well-being and parenting practices.
According to a quote in an article entitled Health Disparities and Stress by Nevid & Rathus (2003), “Stress is the physiological demand placed on the body when one must adapt, cope, or adjust (Nevid & Rathus, 2003). Stress can be a good thing because it helps keep a person alert, however extreme or extended stress can overwhelm the physical body which is not good.
The effects of stress on the African-American woman have proven to be enormous and even deadly. According to Dr. Tracy Scott (2008), “stress is the number one health problem facing African Americans.” She also states that the daily struggle of dealing with chauvinism
Stress & Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African-American Women
adds to the elevated and possibly fatal levels of
References: Kasper, J., Ensminger, M., Green, K., Fothergill, K., Juon, H., Robertson, J. & Thorpe, R. (2008). Effects of poverty and family stress over three decades on functional status of older African American women. Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychology and the Social Sciences, 63(40): S201-S210. Oravecz, L., Kobinsky, S., Randolph, S. (2008). Community Violence, Interpartner Conflict, Parenting, and Social Support as Predictors of the Social Competence of African American Preschool Children. Journal of Black Psychology, 34, 192-216. Scott, T (2008). Stress and African Americans: A Daily Devotion [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://healthylivingseminars.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/stress-and-african-americans-a-daily-devotion/ Taylor, R. D (2010). Kin Support and Parenting Practices Among Low-Income African American Mothers: Moderating Effects of Mothers’ Psychological Adjustment. Journal of Black Psychology, 37, 33-23. Taylor, R. D (2000). An Examination of the Association of African American Mothers’ Perceptions of their Neighborhoods with their Parenting and Adolescent Adjustment. Journal of Black psychology, 26, 267-287.