This research article is a qualitative study designed to assess family functioning of African-American single-parent families. All too often the functioning of single-parent families is assessed in a holistic manner, without regard to differentiated culture. But "family functioning is influenced by socioeconomic status, culture, family structure, and developmental stage, and is assessed primarily using instruments developed for middle-income European-American two-parent families. These instruments may not validly assess low-income African-American single-parent families. This qualitative study was conducted to provide rich descriptions of families and family functioning in order to inform research on this underrepresented group" (McCreary & Dancy, 2004). Specific research is needed on African-American families because while all single parent households are disproportionately poor, this is particularly the case for African-American single parent households. "41% of African-American female-headed households with children under 18 were living in poverty" (McCreary & Dancy 2004).

The theoretical foundation of the study was symbolic interactionism, focusing on "family members' perceptions of the meanings and values they ascribe to the activities and interactions that make up family functioning" rather than imposing values upon the subject that were of interest to the researchers alone (McCreary & Dancy 2004). It focused upon 20 African-American single mothers and 20 adult family members from two different neighborhoods to eliminate geographic bias and was qualitative in nature. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit data. The most interesting finding was that "the participants' definition of family supports the literature describing the self-defined family of African-American single mothers as networks of people related biologically, legally, or by function-often spanning more than one household who provide to their members the material and emotional functions of a family' (McCreary & Dancy 2004). This is in contrast to the American model which strongly emphasizes children's independence and generational separation.

The study findings underline the need for support programs for single-parent households to take into consideration the culture of the family. Not all families define themselves in a nuclear fashion. For some families, the roles of grandparents and more distant family members are important and involving them in the social support network being created is essential. This is a radical notion given the fact that some single-parent support groups emphasize the need for mothers to keep in contact with their child's father so the child has a male role model. Not all cultures prioritize the nuclear support network and some might see blood female relatives as having more value in disciplining the child or offering input about the child's growth and development than a male. A broader and more inclusive concept of family underlining a supportive program and organizing resources for such families may be needed to address their needs in a culturally sensitive fashion. A more "inclusive definition of family composition for low-income African-American