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Sally's Corner: Coping with Unmarried Motherhood
Author(s) -
Presser Harriet B.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1980.tb01901.x
Subject(s) - fertility , coping (psychology) , birth control , psychology , developmental psychology , longitudinal study , demography , sociology , medicine , population , family planning , research methodology , clinical psychology , pathology
This paper examines the coping strategies of unmarried mothers (mostly black) for the 45 month period since the birth of their first child. The study is based on a longitudinal survey of first‐parity mothers in New York City. Their expansion of role responsibilities (employment, school, marriage, and subsequent childbearing) are analyzed, as well as the support systems they utilize (help from the child's father, the woman's parents, friends, and public assistance). The relationship between support systems and subsequent fertility is examined, as well as the practice of birth control since the first birth. In addition to analyzing unmarried mothers as a group, three case studies are presented, followed by a discussion of research and policy issues.