Lee, S., & Oyserman, D. (2007). Reaching for the future: The education-focused possible selves of low-income mothers. In M. Rossiter (Ed), Possible Selves and Adult Learning: Perspectives and Potential, New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education  (pp.39-49). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Eccles, J. S., Barber, B. L., Jozefowicz, D. M. H., Malanchuk, O., & Vida, M. (1999). Self-evaluations of competence, task values,  and self-esteem. In N. G. Johnson, M. C. Roberts, & J. Worell (Eds.), Beyond appearance: A new look at adolescent girls (pp. 53-83). Washington, D.C. : APA Press

Over the last 10 years, there have been extensive discussions in media and academic publication outlets regarding the cost of adolescence for females in terms of mental health, self-esteem, and identity. For example, the American Association of University Women (AAUW, 1990) reported marked declines in girls' self-confidence during the early adolescent years.

Hutson, R. A. (2007). Child support and parental conflict among low income families. Children and Youth Services Review, 29(9), 1142-1157.

Child support collection policies have become more stringent over time, but the effects of child support payment on parental relationships are poorly understood.

McLoyd, V. C., & Jozefowicz, D. M. H. (1996). Sizing up the future: Predictors of African American adolescent females'  expectancies about their economic fortunes and family life course. In B. Leadbeater & N. Way (Eds.), Creating identities, resisting stereotypes: Urban adolescent girls. New York, NY : University Press.

Single parenthood and its attendant socioeconomic disadvantages are salient features of the social ecology of many African American children. In 1991, 54% of all African American children lived in mother-only families. Some 65% of these children were poor, compared to 19% of African American children who lived in two-parent families.