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: 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. They come in all shades, shapes, and types, yet the stereotyped Black father is seen—by those who are not of color—as a visitor to his family, underemployed, marginal to his family, inattentive to his children, rather violent, and plainly not in the family picture. In reality, African American fathers are as dedicated to their children and families as are men of other racial groups; some are models of perfection, and some are deadbeats. An important issue is why the negative image of Black males and fathers is so strongly embedded in the psyches of lay and professional family social scientists. The reasons lie in three historical circumstances: