African-American homeless and low-income housed mothers: Comparison of parenting practices

The child-rearing practices of homeless and low-income housed mothers of preschool children in Head Start were compared Overall, homeless mothers provided less learning and academic stimulation less variety in social and cultural experiences, less warmth and affection, and a less positive physical environment for their children than did housed mothers, Mothers in both living arrangements provided more language stimulation to daughters than to sons. Implications of the findings for working with homeless families are discussed.