Voices of Parents in Poverty: What Do Low-Income Parents Need to Support Their Young Children?

• In Event: 41.084 - Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 41.084-9 - Notions of Parental "Support" and Schooling

Abstract

This paper examines how low-income parents describe their needs with regard to supporting their young children’s learning and development, and compares those stated needs to the perceptions of their children’s teachers, school administrators, district leaders, and state policymakers. Informed by Ecological Systems Theory and Critical Pedagogy, this study uses a multi-vocal, collective case study design to interview and compare the responses of 14 participants in an urban city in the Southwestern US. Findings point to a disconnect between low-income parents and the individuals in positions of power who serve them. Mothers in this study expressed needing more money, time, self-care, and validation, while teachers, administrators, and policy-players focused on training and education.

Authors

• Molly Ellen McManus, The University of Texas at Austin

• Marie-Anne Suizzo, The University of Texas - Austin