FAMILY SUPPORT TO SINGLE AND MARRIED AFRICAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS - THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND CHILD-CARE ASSISTANCE

The nature of kin-based support networks and the operation of demographic and family network characteristics as determinants of specific assistance types (i.e., financial emotional, child care) are explored among a representative sample of single and married African American mothers. Special attention is given to the role of marital status in the operation of kin support networks by focusing on the diversity within the single category (i.e., never married, divorced/separated, widowed). Region, age, household structure, proximity to family, and kin affinity all emerged as significant predictors of assistance from extended kin. Significant contrasts were found between never married and married mothers (financial assistance), as well as never married and widowed mothers (emotional assistance). Interaction effects between marital status and poverty ratio, as well as between marital status and proximity of immediate family, were found. These and other findings are discussed with regard to marital status distinctions in understanding family-based support.