Shunale M. Hodges |
Name: Shunale M. Hodges
School: Tougaloo College Major: Sociology Mentor: Dr. Kirk Johnson Expected Graduation Date: May 2010 Organizations & Honors:
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ABSTRACT
Why are Single African American Mothers Persistently Poor?
| There is abundant evidence that social class is linked to a person’s life chances. The rate of poverty is particularly high among single African American mothers. While previous studies of poverty in this population are statistically based, the voices of women have rarely been heard in analyses of why poverty is so persistent. For this study, seven African-American single mothers between the ages of 24 and 44 who have had direct or indirect experiences with poverty were interviewed to clarify their perspectives on why poverty was so difficult to overcome. The findings suggest the value of using qualitative methods to understand barriers to upward mobility among single black mothers. |