Title: 
Headings: The Dynamics of African American Fathers' Family Roles
The Dynamics of African American Fathers' Family Roles
Harriette P. McAdoo [1] and John L. McAdoo [2]
Abstract
The African American Family and Male Demography
FATHERS IN FAMILIES
MEN'S HEALTH
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
Perspectives on Fathers' Roles
THE CHILD SOCIALIZATION ROLE
THE MARITAL ROLE
Conclusions
References

Content: These roles must be examined in relation to the many persons who may be part of today's family: mother, grandparents or other relatives, and friends. This article also explores why African American men are seen as invisible or absent players in the family dramas that take place every day. Over the last several decades, changes have occurred in almost all American families because of economic factors. It is increasingly difficult for one parent to earn enough a living wage to support an entire family. Jobs have gone off shore, companies have been down-sized, and entire industries have been mechanized. Those at the lower end of the occupational hierarchy—particularly poor persons of color—have faced the most negative effect. Most mothers of young children are now employed at some level outside the home, marriages and relationships have been truncated and changed, children are being cared for through a variety of arrangements, and parents of both genders have had to become involved in family tasks. These are patterns that have existed within the African American community for decades. African American fathers are as different from one another as they are from other groups.