1st Edition

The Cultural Adjustment of Asian Lone Mothers Living in London

By Rachana Sinha Copyright 1998
    242 Pages
    by Routledge

    242 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1998, this insightful volume aims to explore how 90 Indian and African single mothers in 1993 London resolve the dual challenges of single parenthood and their ethnic origins, along with a comparison with their British counterparts. This is one of only a few studies devoted exclusively to Asian lone mothers in Britain and sheds light on the problems encountered by a group largely ignored by researchers to date. Rachana Sinha establishes the impact of differences in family values on issues of marriage, women’s status and lone parenthood and brings to light some of the mothers’ cultural and psychological adjustments to these values and life in London. The women’s experiences of lone parenthood are shown through their relationships with the father, their family and friends and with contacts with social organizations. Sinha ends the study with suggestions and implications for social policy drawn from her findings.

    1. Models of Race Relations. 2. Family Values in Hindu, Muslim and Sikh Cultures. 3. Methodology and the Sample. 4. Living Conditions of Lone Parent Asian Mothers Living in London. 5. The Mothers’ Attitudes Towards Marriage, the Family and the Position of Women. 6. The Mothers’ Attitudes Towards Marriage, Breakdown and Lone Parenthood. 7. The Mothers’ Experiences of Lone Parenthood. 8. Types of Adjustment: Cultural and Psychological. 9. Conclusions.

    Biography

    Rachana Sinha

    ’...unique in the sense that it deals with both the racial and the social issues surrounding Asian lone mothers in London...well researched, clearly written and it is a must for all those interested in racial, gender and social issues surrounding lone parenthood.’ Vic George, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK ’...an original contribution to the literature on lone parenting...The engagement with empirical material is interesting and the book also offers very thorough explorations of existing literature both on lone parenting and on race relations.’ Ethnic and Racial Studies