Mentor/s
Dr. Gerald Reid
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
This research investigated the ways in which intersectionality and various forms of support have influenced the ability of single black mothers to overcome the barriers of poverty. Qualitative research included analysis of three interviews of single black mothers from P.T. Barnum, a public housing complex located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The use of an online coding tool, Dedoose, proved effective in identifying where various forms of support have aided these women. These supports included social and community supports. The women cited having various forms of social support, including informational, tangible, and emotional. They also cited having various forms of community support, including housing support, childcare, and healthcare support. Two interviews of women of other races from P.T. were also included in this study, to further explore how intersectionality plays a role in their ability to overcome poverty. It was found that they experience very similar difficulties as the first three women, and cited having the same struggles as well. The findings of this study provide pertinent information to social workers, philanthropists, and others in the social service field, by helping them best determine the types of support these women need to be successful in overcoming poverty.
Keywords: intersectionality, single, black, mothers, overcome, poverty, qualitative, interviews, P.T. Barnum, social, community, other races, social workers, philanthropists
College and Major available
Sociology
Location
University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-24-2019 2:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-24-2019 5:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Meaningful, Best Writing* (*Competing in this category requires that final paper be uploaded by April 1)
Overcoming the Barriers of Poverty: Intersectionality and Single Black Mothers of P.T. Barnum Apartments
University Commons
This research investigated the ways in which intersectionality and various forms of support have influenced the ability of single black mothers to overcome the barriers of poverty. Qualitative research included analysis of three interviews of single black mothers from P.T. Barnum, a public housing complex located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The use of an online coding tool, Dedoose, proved effective in identifying where various forms of support have aided these women. These supports included social and community supports. The women cited having various forms of social support, including informational, tangible, and emotional. They also cited having various forms of community support, including housing support, childcare, and healthcare support. Two interviews of women of other races from P.T. were also included in this study, to further explore how intersectionality plays a role in their ability to overcome poverty. It was found that they experience very similar difficulties as the first three women, and cited having the same struggles as well. The findings of this study provide pertinent information to social workers, philanthropists, and others in the social service field, by helping them best determine the types of support these women need to be successful in overcoming poverty.
Keywords: intersectionality, single, black, mothers, overcome, poverty, qualitative, interviews, P.T. Barnum, social, community, other races, social workers, philanthropists
Students' Information
Laura James, Sociology Major, Honors student, graduating in 2019.
Full text of Best Writing paper is attached here as an additional file.
2019 CAS Honor of Academic Distinction Finalist.