Parenting and Homeless: Profiles of Young Adult Mothers and Fathers in Unstable Housing Situations

Abstract

Young adults who are pregnant or parents are a vulnerable subgroup of the homeless population, yet there is limited research about their specific service needs. To fill this gap, we used data from a survey of homeless and unstably housed young adults, ages 18–24, collected over 4 weeks in Houston, Texas, to examine the characteristics, risk factors, and protective factors of homeless parents (n = 109) compared to other homeless young adults (n = 243), then differences between mothers (n = 61) and fathers (n = 48). Unique risk and protective profiles for homeless parents were identified, as well as differences between mothers and fathers. Implications for service delivery targeted to the unique needs of young adult homeless mothers and fathers are discussed.

Relationships Between Parenting and Dangerous Substance Use Behaviors Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness

“…Although it is not possible to discern from our data why young fathers reported more illicit substance use than males without children, possible explanations for stronger associations among young homeless males with children are that they simply engage in and experience a wider range of risky behaviors and life situations (Hathazi et al, 2009;Narendorf et al, 2016;Slesnick et al, 2006). For example, the few studies that have looked at homeless young fathers have found that they were more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system and more likely to be sleeping on the streets relative to males without children (Hathazi et al, 2009;Narendorf et al, 2016;Slesnick et al, 2006). Additionally, Narendorf et al (2016) found that homeless fathers were more likely to report attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and that this group is tasked with engaging in a wider range of survival strategies when compared to homeless young mothers.…”

“…For example, the few studies that have looked at homeless young fathers have found that they were more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system and more likely to be sleeping on the streets relative to males without children (Hathazi et al, 2009;Narendorf et al, 2016;Slesnick et al, 2006). Additionally, Narendorf et al (2016) found that homeless fathers were more likely to report attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and that this group is tasked with engaging in a wider range of survival strategies when compared to homeless young mothers. Another potential explanation is that males tend to report using services less frequently (Berdahl, Hoyt, & Whitbeck, 2005) and are not targets of services for young parents.…”

“…Other studies have found that 22%-43% of young males experiencing homelessness have reported impregnating someone in their lifetimes, of which they are aware (Winetrobe et al, 2013;Wagner, Carlin, Cauce, & Tenner, 2001). Although limited research exists regarding the experiences and outcomes of having a biological child among youth experiencing homelessness, studies have found that roughly 25%-40% of homeless youths have reported being pregnant and/or having at least one biological child (Crawford et al, 2011;Narendorf, Jennings, & Maria, 2016;Slesnick, Bartle-Haring, Glebova, & Glade, 2006). Early maternal age among youth experiencing homelessness is of concern, as their babies are often born at low birth weights, prematurely, with prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, and are at high risk of being placed into the child welfare system (Novac, Paradis, Brown, & Morton, 2006;Smid, Bourgois, & Auerswald, 2010;Stein, Lu, & Gelberg, 2000).…”

Homelessness Pathways for Australian Single Mothers and Their Children: An Exploratory Study

“…Briefly, mothers were on average 27.86 years old at the time of interview (range 17-41) with eight of the 14 mothers being younger (under 25), five of the mothers being 21 or younger and one being a teenager. Mothers were on average 21.29 years old when they gave birth to their first child (range [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31], with 50% of mothers reporting their first pregnancy during their teenage years. The majority experienced homelessness prior to falling pregnant (64%) and, importantly, over half had experienced at least seven different episodes of homelessness since giving birth to their first child (57%).…”

Housing trajectories of teen mothers and their families over 28 years.

“…Almost 60% of teen mothers reported moving at least once in the prior year (Kumar et al, 2017), and 28.5% of pregnant teens reported moving at least twice in the prior year (Carrion et al, 2015). These moves rarely provide housing stability (Carrion et al, 2015; Narendorf, Jennings, & Maria, 2016). Because most research is limited to cross-sectional studies around the first birth, very little is known about how teen mothers house themselves and their children over time and how family resources, housing programs, and discrimination shape their housing trajectories.…”