Date of Award

7-20-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

College

College of Education and Social Sciences

First Advisor

Jonathan Coker

Second Advisor

Todd Madigan

Third Advisor

Richard Ellis

Abstract

Family homelessness is a widespread crisis that disrupts the educational experiences of thousands of children, including South Carolina where rates of family homelessness continue to grow. Although research has explored families and homelessness, limited research has focused on the parental engagement of homeless parents. This study explored the parental engagement among homeless parents in South Carolina.

Guided by van Manen’s (1990) interpretive phenomenology, four parents residing in a South Carolina homeless shelter participated in semi-structured interviews and created self portraits, which were analyzed using the hermeneutic circle to derive phenomenological insight.

Findings revealed that parental engagement while homeless was like being the calm in the storm. This experience involved prepping for the storm by gathering resources and support, hunkering down during the storm by navigating the ongoing challenges of homelessness while maintaining involvement in their child’s education, and seeing past the storm by sustaining hope and a futureoriented commitment to their child’s educational success. Consistent with prior research, participants described barriers including single parenthood, unemployment, logistical challenges, and emotional strain. However, the findings challenged assumptions that homelessness results in parental disengagement. Instead, parents demonstrated considerable agency and resilience, independently navigating structural barriers while maintaining meaningful relationships with schools. The study also extends the literature by suggesting that homelessness is not solely a housing condition but a lived experience that shapes parental engagement in complex ways. Implications are offered for schools, districts, and policymakers seeking to develop more responsive partnerships with families experiencing homelessness.

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