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The beliefs of resilient African-American adolescent mothers transitioning from foster care to independent living: A case-based analysis

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  • Haight, Wendy
  • Finet, Dayna
  • Bamba, Sachiko
  • Helton, Jesse

Abstract

This study presents the beliefs of three resilient African-American adolescent mothers transitioning from foster care into independent living in Illinois. Young mothers were followed for at least seven months as they participated in an innovative writing workshop for older foster youth. During this time, youth repeatedly initiated discussions of parenting while in foster care. Videotaped observations of workshops, in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews, and youth writing assignments yielded rich materials pertaining to parenting while in foster care. Young women identified a number of common challenges including financial difficulties, the pressure of meeting multiple obligations, stigma, and the negativity of some caseworkers. They also articulated cultural beliefs and practices which may support resilience. These included: the positive value placed on children and motherhood, spirituality, "other mothers" and various sources of community support, and an oppositional gaze. Implications for child welfare research and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Haight, Wendy & Finet, Dayna & Bamba, Sachiko & Helton, Jesse, 2009. "The beliefs of resilient African-American adolescent mothers transitioning from foster care to independent living: A case-based analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 53-62, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:1:p:53-62
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cook, Ronna J., 1994. "Are we helping foster care youth prepare for their future?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(3-4), pages 213-229.
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    1. Aparicio, Elizabeth M. & Shpiegel, Svetlana & Grinnell-Davis, Claudette & King, Bryn, 2019. "“My body is strong and amazing”: Embodied experiences of pregnancy and birth among young women in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 199-205.
    2. Lieberman, Lisa D. & Kaplan, Alejandra & Scholey, Laura & Kohomban, Jeremy & Lausell-Bryant, Linda, 2020. "Strategic partners: Enhancing the ability of foster care agencies to serve the special needs of young mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    3. Shpiegel, Svetlana & Cascardi, Michele, 2018. "The impact of early childbirth on socioeconomic outcomes and risk indicators of females transitioning out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 1-8.
    4. Roberts, Louise & Maxwell, Nina & Elliott, Martin, 2019. "When young people in and leaving state care become parents: What happens and why?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Zárate-Alva, Nair Elizabeth & Sala-Roca, Josefina, 2019. "Socio-emotional skills of girls and young mothers in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 50-56.
    6. Harmon-Darrow, Caroline & Burruss, Karen & Finigan-Carr, Nadine, 2020. "“We are kind of their parents”: Child welfare workers’ perspective on sexuality education for foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    7. Ohene, Serena K. & Garcia, Antonio, 2020. "Narratives of women’s retrospective experiences of teen pregnancy, motherhood, and school engagement while placed in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    8. Radey, Melissa & Schelbe, Lisa & McWey, Lenore M. & Holtrop, Kendal & Canto, Angela I., 2016. "“It's really overwhelming”: Parent and service provider perspectives of parents aging out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1-10.
    9. Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & McWey, Lenore M. & Waid, Jeffery, 2018. "Sibling relationships of youth in foster care: A predictor of resilience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 247-254.
    10. van Vugt, Eveline & Versteegh, Pleuntje, 2020. "“She gave me hope and lightened my heart”: The transition to motherhood among vulnerable (young) mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    11. Bruce, Janine S., 2016. "Sexual and reproductive health policies for foster youth in California: A qualitative study of child welfare professionals' experiences and perceptions of policies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 184-200.
    12. Narendorf, Sarah Carter & Munson, Michelle R. & Levingston, Fredreka, 2013. "Managing moods and parenting: Perspectives of former system youth who struggle with emotional challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 1979-1987.
    13. Margherita, Giorgia & Troisi, Gina & Tessitore, Francesca & Gargiulo, Anna, 2017. "Teen mothers who are daughters of teen mothers: Psychological intergenerational dimensions of early motherhood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 294-301.
    14. Thompson, Heather M. & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & Cooley, Morgan E., 2018. "The experience with independent living services for youth in care and those formerly in care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 17-25.
    15. Svoboda, Deborah V. & Shaw, Terry V. & Barth, Richard P. & Bright, Charlotte Lyn, 2012. "Pregnancy and parenting among youth in foster care: A review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 867-875.
    16. Lee, Chris & Berrick, Jill Duerr, 2014. "Experiences of youth who transition to adulthood out of care: Developing a theoretical framework," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 78-84.
    17. Aparicio, Elizabeth M. & Shpiegel, Svetlana & Martinez-Garcia, Genevieve & Sanchez, Alexander & Jasczynski, Michelle & Ventola, Marissa & Channell Doig, Amara & Robinson, Jennifer L. & Smith, Rhoda, 2023. "Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among young parents with foster care backgrounds: A participatory action PhotoVoice study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    18. Aparicio, Elizabeth & Pecukonis, Edward V. & O'Neale, Shalita, 2015. "“The love that I was missing”: Exploring the lived experience of motherhood among teen mothers in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 44-54.

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