A strengths perspective: an ethnographic study of homeless women with children

Abstract

Homeless women with children have been one of the fastest growing homeless subpopulations during the past decade. However, research in this area has paid scant attention to the needs of these homeless families. The ethnographic study of homeless women with children described in this article captures the prevailing strengths of this population. The women's strengths were identified in seeking housing, caring for children, and remaining connected to social contacts to keep their families together. The authors suggest that ethnography provides guideposts for social workers as they search for practice models.