The result of a 5-year research project conducted in a major American city, this book is a vivid journey into the lives of nine young African-American mothers facing issues related to single parenthood and poverty. By conducting interviews with the mothers, the authors share insights regarding individual, family, community, and program factors that either facilitate or constrain the effectiveness of intervention programs. Timely and important topics such as child rearing, young fatherhood, home visiting, and domestic violence are discussed. The authors combine detailed case stories with research analysis and policy implementations to portray a rich picture of the lives of the mothers they studied and interpret their findings for policy, research, and practice. An essential resource for any early childhood professional, this compelling book gives readers critical insight into the many complex factors that affect any intervention with families in poverty.