Building Strong Families 2004
A Study of African American and Latino/Latina Parents in the United
States
(Released November 2004)
The vast majority of African American and Latino/Latina parents are
working hard to raise strong, healthy, and successful children and
adolescents, and most feel they are doing well as parents. Yet they are
doing so in the face of multiple challenges in their communities and
society. Furthermore, most have little support beyond their immediate
family to help them as parents. Those are the major conclusions of this
study of 685 African American parents and 639 Latino/Latina parents in
the United States by Search Institute and YMCA of the USA.
Key Findings
- Perceptions of srengths--The
vast majority of African American and Latino/Latina parents surveyed
feel successful as parents. Furthermore, most feel that they have an
excellent relationship with their child.
- Challenges--African
American and Latino/Latina parents feel like they’re facing uphill
battles in dealing with economic challenges, negative values in
society, and community and neighborhood conditions. These challenges
are particularly hard for parents of teenagers, those facing economic
stress, those with limited English, and those who are not married or in
a committed relationship.
- Asset-building actions--Most
African American and Latino/Latina parents say they do many things as
much as they want to support their children’s healthy development
(building Developmental Assets). But they don’t have as many
opportunities as they would like to do some things. The biggest gaps
appear to lie in building bridges for themselves and their children to
relationships, opportunities, and resources in the community.
- Primary sources of support--Most
of parents’ supports are within their own families, with their
relationship with their partner/spouse being a key resource for many
parents.
- Help that parents value--While
many parents would benefit from policy changes (economic stability,
work flexibility, etc.), they also realize how valuable it would be to
strengthen and expand their web of relationships--and their child’s web
of relationships—within the community.
- Conclusion--This study
points to a major, often overlooked, challenge facing America’s
parents: They are trying to undertake the critical task of parenting in
a complex society with little or no support from their community. That
challenge represents a real opportunity for YMCAs, schools, faith
communities, social service agencies, and other organizations to more
intentionally build relationships with parents in ways that both affirm
their current efforts and provide the supports and guidance they need
when things get tough.
More Information on the Study
Building Strong Families 2004
represents the second study in an ongoing collaboration between the
YMCA of the USA and Search
Institute around strong families and parenting. It is part of the
larger Abundant Assets Alliance, which combines the resources of the
YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada, and Search Institute—three distinguished
organizations with proven success in building strong kids, families,
and communities. For more information, visit www.abundantassets.org
