Seeing African Americans as Competent Parents: Implications for Family Counselors

Abstract

One of the primary roles of parents is to guide and socialize children to make meaningful life choices. African American parents, in particular, have the additional tasks of preparing their children to thrive in an environment that has historically been hostile toward African Americans. Yet, many African American parents are often depicted as incapable of rearing their own children. This article will examine issues pertaining to African American parents maintaining their humanity in the face of a society that has viewed them as incompetent. Implications for family counseling research and practice will be discussed.

Influence of autism on fathering style among Black American fathers: a narrative inquiry

“…Included in understanding the three levels of meaning is an acknowledgment of how systemic forces such as racism influence the fathering practices among Black men (McAdoo, ). For example, research suggests Black fathers have different conversations with their children than their white counterparts due to disparate treatment received in educational and other community settings based on race (Adkison‐Bradley, ; Gordon, Nichter and Henriksen, ).…”

African American Child Discipline: Differences Between Mothers and Fathers

“…It is important to note that several writers have cautioned against pinpointing physical discipline in child discipline investigations because children are more likely to be affected by the overall program of child discipline in families (Ispa & Halgunseth, ; Lansford et al, ). When social scientists are preoccupied with African Americans spanking or “whuppin” their children, it becomes easier for researchers to deny African American parents’ their intentional (e.g., explained behavioral expectations to child) and strategic (e.g., hierarchical in nature in that second disciplinary response to misbehavior is more severe than the first) child rearing qualities that are associated with being a competent parent (Adkison‐Bradley, ; Johnson, ).…”

“…The basis of this perspective is largely derived from studies and writings that consistently show that African American mothers use more physical discipline than White American mothers (Bartz & Levine, ; Lansford et al, ; McLoyd & Smith, ; Yoos, Kitzman, Olds, & Overacker, ). Although behavioral problems (as a result of mothers using physical discipline) observed in White American children have not been found in African American children, African American child rearing methods continue to be characterized as change worthy (Adkison‐Bradley, ; Belgrave & Allison, ; Kriz & Skivenes, ). Many African American caseworkers report that White human service workers lack exposure to African American child rearing practices (Dixon, ; Thomas & Dettlaff, ).…”

“…Additionally, cultural bias and/or lack of cultural awareness among trial lawyers and juvenile and family court judges often play a role in the marginalization of African American parents (Barrett & George, ; Dixon, ). Some scholars have cautioned that social workers and legal professionals may make inappropriate decisions, such as removing African American children from their homes, as a consequence of their lack of understanding the meaning and context of African American child discipline (Adkison‐Bradley, ; Ispa & Halgunseth, ; Roberts, ). Although African American children comprise 15% of the children in the Unites States, they make up 37% of children in the child welfare system (Dixon, ; Thomas & Dettlaff, ).…”

Counseling Families in Poverty: Moving from Paralyzing to Revitalizing

“…Amatea & West-Olatunji, 2007;Amatea, Smith-Adcock, & Villares, 2006;Sheely-Moore & Bratton, 2010) or on parenting practices (i.e. Adkison-Bradley, 2011;Kelch-Oliver, 2011;McWey, 2008). In the few outcome studies available, there also is indication that many barriers exist for low-income families in utilizing traditional counseling services (e.g., transportation), which can lead to a high counseling drop out rate (e.g., Lyon & Budd, 2010;Schwarzbaum, 2004;Toporek & Pope-Davis, 2005).…”