Co-Parenting Relationship Experiences of Black Adolescent Mothers in Active Romantic Partnerships With the Fathers of Their Children. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nelson, LaRon E.; Thach, Chia T.; Shelton, Melissa M.; Boyer, Cherrie B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of family nursing. Volume 21:Number 3(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 413
• Page End: 442
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: adolescents -- dyadic analysis -- African American -- co-parenting -- interpretive description; Family nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/1074840714560753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1074-8407

Abstract

We conducted an interpretive description of co-parenting relationship experiences of romantically involved Black adolescent mothers and fathers with shared biological children. The study was conducted in Brooklyn, New York, using data from individual in-depth interviews with adolescent mothers and fathers ( n = 10). Four themes were identified: (a) putting our heads together; (b) balancing childhood and parenthood; (c) less money, more problems; and (d) if we use condoms, it is for contraception. The co-parenting couples managed very complex relationships, but their mutual interest in the welfare of their children was a relational asset. Co-parents had sparse financial resources but used a moral economy strategy to provide mutual support. Future research is needed that focuses on identifying other co-parent relationship assets and integrating and evaluating their utility for enhancing interventions for adolescent families.