The Multiple Roles of Low Income, Minority Women in the Family and Community: A Qualitative Investigation.

This longitudinal, ethnographic research study was incepted to investigate service use among families living in poor urban communities. Themes that emerged during data collection focus on the variety of roles played by women, in the home, and in the neighborhood. We identified numerous strengths exhibited by women, that is, roles that help families adapt and survive. Over a two-year period, we spent time with families, in their homes, and in their communities. Not only did the women fulfill multiple roles in the family, but they performed "care taking" functions within the community as well. A more complete understanding of family and community strengths will help researchers and social service professionals better serve diverse families. Key words: Longitudinal, Qualitative, Multiple Roles of Minority Women, and Strengths of Women in Family and Community Introduction During this two-year longitudinal study, the researchers sought to obtain a better understanding of family and community coping mechanisms, as well as the resources that affect families within selected poor, ethnically diverse, urban neighborhoods. The collaborators: researchers, service providers, city personnel, and clinicians, listened to families in an effort to better comprehend their daily lives. How do these diverse families utilize various resources, what is helpful or hurtful? We believe that qualitative methods are responsive to the unique needs of culturally diverse families and will help researchers determine the coping mechanisms that families use in their lives. Because the focus of this study is on diverse families, some of whom do not speak English, these methods are especially appropriate. Qualitative methods are particularly amenable to the study of diverse families because they focus on the "processes by which families create, sustain, and discuss family realities" (Daly, 1992, p. 4). It is also important to give voice to women in lowincome minority communities. "Giving voice to women's experience in qualitative research empowers women because they are involved in a research enterprise where their interpretations are central" (Catlett, 1997, p. 109). Much of the past literature in this area has been of a quantitative nature using national data sets and ignoring the important interactions that are occurring within poor neighborhoods. "Quantitative studies alone offer an incomplete understanding of family life and child development in impoverished neighborhoods ... qualitative studies offer a dynamic view of interactions within families, as well as those that occur between families in specific neighborhoods" (Jarrett, 1997, p. 49). Qualitative works help in the understanding of ethnically diverse, poor neighborhoods (Andrews, Ybarra, & Miramontes, 2002; Edin, 1993; Edin & Lein, 1997; Gilkes, 1994; Jarrett, 1997; Litt, 1999; Menjivar, 1997; Mohr, Fantuzzo, & Abdul-Kabir, 2001; Stack, 1975; Zinn, 1994). In fact, researchers have recommended that more qualitative, culturally diverse, and gender fair studies be conducted to investigate family dynamics (Catlett, 1997; Jarrett, 1997; Zinn, 1994). Implicit in our methods is a preventative approach that builds on the Family Strengths Model (DeFrain & Stinnett, 1992; Stinnett & DeFrain, 1985). This model emphasizes the capacities of families rather than their deficits. By utilizing a Family Strengths framework, we shift the focus of what one generally finds in research. Traditionally, we examine only family problems; thus, we find only family problems. If we are interested in family strengths, understanding how families succeed, the Family Strengths Model allows us to discover family competencies. This, in turn, may help professionals and practitioners design more effective service delivery models. Purpose and Goals To elucidate the values and culture of diverse families living in poor urban communities, this two-year longitudinal, ethnographic study was incepted. …