Hurricane Katrina: Displaced Single Mothers, Resource Acquisition, and

Downward Mobility

Jennifer Tobin-Gurley, M.A.Lori Peek, Ph.D

Department of SociologyColorado State University

Hurricane KatrinaLoss and Displacement Damaged 90,000 square miles of U.S. coast, killed ~1,800, and caused $100 billion in

losses Forced relocation of 1.2 million people

Displaced to Colorado 14,000 in Colorado

Social Context Half of the displaced from New Orleans Evacuees more likely to be minorities, economically disenfranchised, and living in inferior

housing prior to the storm, with the poorest families ending up the farthest from the Gulf.

Why Single Mothers?

13.6 million single parents raising 21.2 million children in the U.S.

84% single mothers16% single fathers

Number of single mother headed households rising in the U.S.

Single mothers have the least economic resources

Percentage of Families Below the Poverty Threshold

White Black Asian Hispanic

Married Couple

Male Headed

Female Headed

Percentage of Female-Headed Families with Children under 18

Pre-Katrina New Orleans:Women in Poverty

All Women White Black Female-

Headed

Theoretical Background

Gender and Vulnerability to Disaster Power relationships greatly influence preparation for and recovery from

disaster Pre-disaster social issues parallel post-disaster issues Women-headed households are the most vulnerable

Gender and Hurricane Katrina Women and children of color were the

most affected, but received the least

attention

Downward Mobility Loss of social and economic status following disaster

Research Objectives1) Resources provided by relief agencies.

2) Resources needed by single mothers.

1) Resources accessed by single mothers.

Research Design

Post-Disaster ResearchQualitative Methods

Data CollectionSettings: Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado

Springs, PuebloParticipants: 15 disaster relief providers, 8 single mothersGaining Entrée

Data Analysis

Disaster Assistance in ColoradoNeeds and Resources Provided

Shelter and HousingFood TransportationEmploymentChildcare and SchoolingHealth Care

PhysicalMental

Additional Resources

Disaster Assistance in Colorado

ChallengesBureaucracyCommunicationCultural DifferencesFinding EvacueesIllegal Activities

Displaced Single Mothers in Colorado

Needs of Single Mother FamiliesHousing StabilityFoodChildcareEmploymentHealth Care Social Networks

Downward Mobility and Resiliency

Downward MobilityFinancesGovernment AssistanceStigmaEmploymentSocial NetworksSelf-Evacuation

Resiliency

ConclusionRecovery-Related Difficulties

Unaware of public and private resources

Conjunction of needsLoss of safety netBureaucratic obstaclesMistreatment based on race, region of origin, social class, and/or household status (female-headed)

Food

Clothing

Shelter and Housing

TransportationEmployment

Childcare and Schooling

Healthcare