Empowering low-income Black families of handicapped children.

Abstract

A qualitative study of four black, low-income, single mothers used in-depth interviews and participant observation to evaluate their interactions with outreach agency professionals. Three perceived aspects (disrespect, focus on deficits, and discounting parenting style differences) were associated with exclusionary (unempowering) relationships. A reciprocal and supportive approach was associated with collaborative (empowering) relationships. Implications of these findings for professionals serving minority families are discussed.

Understanding Resource Needs of Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers

“…Lack of awareness is one of the main barriers that family caregivers face in accessing support services, similar to past studies on families of persons with developmental disabilities (Burnette, 1999;Kalyanpur & Rao, 1991;Samuel, Hobden, LeRoy & Lacey, 2012).…”

Equity and Advocacy Expectations of Culturally Diverse Families’ Participation in Special Education

“…They do not expect to be collaborators or decision makers in the process (Cloud, 1993) and may neither offer their input, even when solicited, nor disagree with professionals' recommendations (Kalyanpur & Rao, 1991).…”

“…Others identify several aspects of families' economic and cultural circumstances that contribute to low parental involvement, including lack of transportation and/or child care (Kalyanpur & Rao, 1991), communication and language barriers (DeGangi, Wietlisbach, Poisson, Stein, & Royeen, 1994;Heller, Markwardt, Rowitz, & Farber, 1994;Hyun & Fowler, 1995;Leung, 1996), a history of poor relationships with schools (Salend & Taylor, 1993;Thorp, 1997), cultural differences in helpseeking behaviour (Danseco, 1997), and beliefs about disability (Danseco, 1997;Huang, 1993;Smart & Smart, 1991), as well as perceptions about professionals as experts whose opinions cannot be opposed (Harry, Allen, & McLaughlin, 1995).…”

Family Empowerment: A Nursing Intervention With Suggested Outcomes for Families of Children With a Chronic Health Condition

“…Kalyanpur and Rao (1991) collected data on four families' interactions over 11 months with outreach workers by using participant observation and interviews. They found aspects of unempowering relationships were disrespect, focus on deficits, and discounting differences in parenting styles.…”