Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify differences in parenting among Hispanic and African American families through the comparison of parenting dimensions. The sample consisted of 110 participants; 50% (n=55) were Hispanic and 50% (n=55) were African American. Participants included mothers of children enrolled in an inner city Head Start program in a large city in an East North Central State. Survey methods were employed to assess parenting dimensions utilizing Parent as Social Context Questionnaire (PASCQ). Data were analyzed utilizing multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), which determines population differences. Findings indicate differences exist, African American participants scored higher in parenting dimensions of warmth and autonomy support and Hispanic participants scored higher in parenting dimensions of coercion and rejection. These findings indicate a need for further research on parenting within minority families. These findings impact practice in fields tasked with supporting and developing these populations.