Critically reviews old and recent research on African American father absence, calling for a paradigmatic shift that emphasizes the value of investigating the effects of father absence as part of a transactional process. Views father absence as a stressor that can potentially give rise to additional stressors that can increase childhood risks for…

This report presents a portrait of female unemployment from a national perspective. Summary findings indicate that nearly 8 million American women either do not have jobs or work part-time because they cannot find full-time employment. Unemployment is particularly high among Black women (15%); Hispanic women (11%), and female heads of households…

Examines changes in female labor force participation since 1950. Finds little difference currently between metro and nonmetro areas in propensity of women to work outside the home. Traces racial and age differences in labor force participation. Finds family situation and changing social expectations responsible for increase in working women. (LFL)

A sample of mothers and daughters from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Labor Market Experience is examined to find out whether living in a one parent family has any effect on the chances of a daughter's completing high school. The sample is limited to mothers and daughters living in the same household during the initial sample screening in…

Provides an economic analysis of the status of African-American males, arguing that the precarious economic position of African-American males is the leading cause of single female-headed households in African-American communities. Marginalization processes based on low employment have pushed African-American males away from marriage. (SLD)

The influences of structural economic factors, social ecology, and culture in producing young absent fathers in the inner city and in defining relationships with their children are examined. Ethnographic data on three low income urban neighborhoods in Brooklyn (New York) are reported and compared with respect to the careers of young males,…

This monograph looks at the increasing number of poor women and discusses anti poverty programs in regard to this group. Figures are presented which indicate an increase in the number of poor women in the 1970s, and show that Blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately represented among the poor. The paper suggests that the child-bearing role of…