Looking for Solutions: Gender Differences in Relationship and Parenting Challenges Among Low‐Income, Young Parents

Abstract

The need for parenting and relationship strengthening programs is important among low-income minority parents where the burden of relational and parental stressors contributes to relationship dissolution. We examine these stressors among young parents. Data were collected from four focus groups (N = 35) with young parents. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed. Inductive coding was used to generate themes and codes, and analysis was completed using NVivo. Relationship and parenting challenges, values, and areas of need were the three major themes that emerged. Women's relationship challenges were family interference and unbalanced parenting, and men reported feeling disrespected and having limited finances. Common relationship challenges for women and men were family interference and unbalanced parenting. Both genders valued trust, communication, and honesty in relationships. Areas of need for women and men included: improving communication and understanding the impact of negative relationships on current relationships. Parenting challenges for women were unbalanced parenting, child safety, and feeling unprepared to parent; men reported limited finances. Both genders valued quality time with child to instill family morals. Areas of need for women and men included learning child discipline techniques and increasing knowledge about child development. Finally, women and men have relationship and parenting similarities and differences. Young parents are interested in learning how to improve relationships and co-parent to reduce relationship distress, which could reduce risk behaviors and improve child outcomes.

Mental Health Utilization Among Diverse Parenting Young Couples

“…Common stressors for expecting young fathers include limited finances, unemployment, health of the mother and baby, parenting, and maintaining a relationship with the expecting mother (Elster and Panzarine 1983). In a previous study, we found mirroring concerns among young parenting fathers from racially diverse backgrounds (Albritton et al 2014). …”

“…Given that young parents may experience stressors such as pregnancy concerns, adjustment to parenting, relationship strain and financial hardship (Albritton et al 2014; Kershaw et al 2013), it is essential that women and men seek mental health services and other supports as needed. As a couple, young parents are navigating complex familial and partner relationships, and it is important to understand factors that influence their use of mental health services and if partners influence utilization.…”

Parents at‐risk and their children: intersections of gender role attitudes and parenting practices

“…In a recent study, researchers conducted focus groups with 35 low‐income, young parents asking about parenting and their relationships (Albritton et al ). Findings supported several differences between mothers and fathers.…”

“…Women may feel responsible for the nurturance and emotional wellbeing of their families (Albritton et al 2014;Hart 1996;Walters 1988), and there is a tendency for mothers to be blamed when things go wrong in the family system (Walters 1988). Meanwhile, men describe stress associated with feeling financially responsible for their families (Albritton et al 2014) and are more likely to be in charge of disciplining their children (McKee et al 2007;Walters 1988). Indeed, scholars suggest 'the stereotypic gender structure perpetuates male dominance in broader society, replicates the unequal gendered division of labour, and can leave men outside motherchild relationships and less emotionally connected with their children' (Matta & Knudson-Martin 2006;p.…”

“…Taken together, research highlights the importance of gender role attitudes on parenting (Albritton et al 2014;Varner & Mandara 2014). However, researchers have called for studies using racially and ethnically diverse families in the study of gender and parenting (Toomey et al 2015;Sang et al 2014).…”