Low-Income Mothers Without Custody: Who Are They and Where Are Their Children?

Authors

Susan Zuravin, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Geoffrey Greif, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Abstract

As a focus of research, the noncustodial low income mother, particularly the mother who has received Aid to Families of Dependent Children, (AFDC) has been virtually ignored. Yet, she is central to many fields of study-foster care, child support enforcement, child maltreatment, and single parents. This article reports on 8 respondents from a cohort of 518, urban, AFDC mothers who lost custody of all children during the 17 months following their selection into the study sample. Findings reveal that most of the children were living with relatives; the majority of mothers had long-standing mental health problems; and most of the mothers not only wanted more children but were trying to get pregnant.

Recommended Citation

Zuravin, Susan and Greif, Geoffrey (1989) "Low-Income Mothers Without Custody: Who Are They and Where Are Their Children?," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 16: Iss. 2, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1895
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol16/iss2/9