FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS - PARENTING DECISIONS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY MOTHERS WHO ARE HIV-SEROPOSITIVE

We delineate critical parenting issues faced by mothers who are HIV seropositive. These issues, which must be considered within the environmental context in which most of these women live, include major life decisions (pregnancy, disclosure, future planning) and daily life challenges (day-to-day parenting, managing other burdens). Research is virtually nonexistent and, as most parenting issues faced by mothers who are seropositive are unique, it is not possible to draw upon work with other parents for direction and solution. Research on the parenting issues faced by these women is needed to guide interventions and policy.