LITERATURE REVIEW

Lilian Bodunrin

“The Effects of a Single-Parent Home on an African

American Child’s Education”

Texas Tech University

INTRODUCTION“The purpose of this literature review is to explore

the research scholars have presented in regards to

African American children in single parent homes

and education. Though current scholars suggest

that African American children experience more

obstacles in school due to low socioeconomic status

(SES) and lack of parent involvement, the effects of

the absence of a parent on academic progress has

yet to be explored efficiently.”

SUBTOPICThe topic of African American children and the

education system has been vastly discussed

amongst experts and researchers in past research.

Synthesis: Both articles (“Effects of Stress and Social Supports on

Mother-Child Interactions in Single- and Two-Parent Families,” by

Marsha Weinraub and Barbara M. Wolf and Effects of Parent’s Gender,

Child’s Gender, and Parental Involvement on the Academic Achievement

of Adolescents in Single Parent Families,” by San Ming Lee et al.)

establish a stand that children from single parent homes suffer more

hardships in their ability to succeed in school due to their parents’

position. They provide credible information that proposes the weaknesses

of single parent headed homes concerning children and education.

SUBTOPIC

Experts place children in African American families

in a category called “at-risk” due to low socioeconomic

status (SES) and lack of parent involvement.

Synthesis: In the article, “African American Single mothers and Children in

Context: A Review of Studies on Risk and Resilience,”, the authors explore

the African American single parent home and child development. The authors

Velma McBride et al. examine the impact of the surrounding environment on

family functioning and child outcomes (133). This point was also made in the

article presented previously by Weinraub and Wolf. Therefore, studies agree

that economic hardship disturb the stability of a household and more

importantly, affect African American children’s academic advancement.

SUBTOPIC

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is considered to

be an extensive factor that results in the low-test

scores of African American children. Studies

indicate that children who live in working class

homes struggle in their endeavor to excel in their

education.

Synthesis: Comparable to the research of authors

McBride et al, McGroder provides solid evidence that

similarly expresses the influence of African American

single parent homes on child education; attributable to

factors such as low economic status.

SUBTOPIC

Many scholars seem to support that low SES single parent homes

negatively affect child academic performance. However, not all

sources agree with that notion.

Synthesis: Nevertheless, the studies from authors such as McGroder differ

because this study states that “many children develop self-regulatory

competence and display few externalizing and internalizing problems despite

their exposure to family or classroom environments that do not promote

competence” (Brody et al. 276). This disputes the assumption that children

who live in these circumstances are unable to perform adequately in school.

CONCLUSION: “SO WHAT?”

Thus, further research needs to be done to properly provide evidence that

will show the effects of an African American single parent home on child

education that is not specific to single mothers as the parent. A child’s

academic performance is greatly impacted by their home environment (Murry

et al. 142). Many African American children are facing challenges in the

classroom because of the pressure from their home environment. Yet, these

African American children are neglected because there is a scarcity in studies

and research specific to this ethnic group. More information on this topic

could suggest more support for these children at school. Therefore, sufficient

research is important to explore the effects of the absence of a parent on the

educational career of an African American child.

WORKS CITEDBrody, Gene H, et al. "Unique And Protective Contributions Of Parenting And Classroom

Processes To The Adjustment Of African American Children Living In Single-Parent Families."

Child Development 73.1 (2002): 274-286. MEDLINE Complete. Web. 11 June 2014.

Lee, San Ming, et al. "Effects Of Parent’s Gender, Child’s Gender, And Parental Involvement

On The Academic Achievement Of Adolescents In Single Parent Families." Sex Roles 56.3/4

(2007): 149-157. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 11 June 2014.

McGroder S. (2000). “Parenting among Low-Income, African American Single Mothers with

Preschool-Age Children: Patterns, Predictors, and Developmental Correlates,” 71 (3) 752-

771.\

McLoyd, V. C. (1990), The Impact of Economic Hardship on Black Families and Children:

Psychological Distress, Parenting, and Socioemotional Development. Child Development, 61:

311–346. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1990.tb02781.x

Murry, V M, et al. "African American Single Mothers And Children In Context: A Review Of

Studies On Risk And Resilience." Clinical Child And Family Psychology Review 4.2 (2001):

133-155. MEDLINE Complete. Web. 11 June 2014.

WORKS CITED CONTINUED

Weinraub, Marsha, and Wolf, M. Barbara. "Effects of Stress and

Social Supports on Mother-Child Interactions in Single- and Two-

Parent Families." Child Development: Infants at Risk 54.5 (1983):

1297+. JSTOR. Web. June-July 2014.

Wong, C. A., Eccles, J. S. and Sameroff, A. (2003), The Influence of

Ethnic Discrimination and Ethnic Identification on African American

adolescents' School and Socioemotional Adjustment. Journal of

Personality, 71: 1197–1232. doi: 10.1111/1467-6494.7106012