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"Parents on the Move": A qualitative study of a self-help organization of homeless parents
Abstract
Given the growing homeless population of men, women and children in temporary housing, the researcher was interested in focusing on determining whether a grass roots organization called "Parents on the Move" was perceived by its population as a success or failure. The research paradigm that was used to conduct this study was qualitative. The study participants were interviewed in-depth and were tape recorded. Profiles of the participants were constructed. Themes, and metaphors and symbols were catalogued and coded, and then constructed into a narrative around the basic questions on which the study was based. Tables were constructed presenting frequencies and distributions on background variables and responses to the questions listed above. The major findings of the study were that the leaders defined the organization as successful, even though different individuals defined success in quite different terms. The organization was successful in making people feel good about themselves and their homeless situation. It provided support to the residents and helped improve conditions at the hotel. These accomplishments instilled in the participants the courage to handle problems on their own. It is less clear whether POM, through its protests and efforts, caused the closing of the hotel and the successful placement of the residents in permanent housing. It was also found that POM consisted of two quite different constituencies: those who were politically committed and willing to engage in social action to better their lives and those who were not politically active, who wanted to make sure that they received their social services. For those who were the more politicized, POM was a greater success than for those who were not. When the hotel was closed, many of the less politicized parents were nostalgic about life in the hotel, since services were provided on site.
Subject Area
Welfare|Social work
Recommended Citation
Gasper, Gloria, ""Parents on the Move": A qualitative study of a self-help organization of homeless parents" (1991). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9207401.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9207401