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Samuel Rose (Chef and Father)
The physical absence of fathers from many homes, emotional unavailability of others when they are present, and widespread, erroneous beliefs that their presence might not really matter, pose significant problems for American families of various backgrounds. Meanwhile, as many try to find ways to address these issues effectively, recent years have witnessed an increase in the number of Americans, who are concerned about the negative and life-long effects these issues could have on the many children who are being raised without fathers in the United States. Increased attention is currently being drawn to both the benefits of father presence and involvement and the evils of father absence and non-involvement. Social scientists are also reporting evidence of the increased negative impact on children when fathers are absent or uninvolved. Despite this evidence however, and although professionals from different persuasions have been calling for greater attention to be paid to factors which result in family dissolution and absent fathers, it is clear that many individuals in our society are simply not taking these matters too seriously. What is also clear is that interventions are needed on many levels if families are going to be preserved and relationships improved. It has been suggested that greater outcries might indeed be necessary, in order to save the next generation from further chaos, a generation that many already seem to think, has the potential to be one of the worse ever, in terms of social problems and lack of family values. Despite these feelings however, this situation certainly did not attain this chaotic state on its own. Much of the credit for the dismal state of affairs in families is due to the decades of neglect and complacency of the current generation, a generation that has for many years focused on less important societal issues, while the more important ones continue to worsen. Indeed many Americans are viewing the current family crisis as the direct price Americans must pay for not placing families at the top of their list of priorities. If nothing else, recent resurgence in calls for greater focus on families has resulted in greater awareness of the necessity for immediate action. Yet, although any celebration by family preservation and fatherhood advocates might be premature at this point, many view this increased awareness as signs of hopefulness and encouragement. Some are even optimistic that increased awareness, more education and community involvement, might eventual result in a reversal of negative trends in the very near future. Father absence is however, a very complicated issue, and numerous barriers prevent fathers active and voluntary involvement in their children's lives. Additionally, although marriage has long been recognized as the best setting in which to raise children, the view is often expressed that many Americans believe this institution is becoming less relevant. Many continue to have children out of wedlock, numerous marriages continue to end in divorce and co-habiting, unmarried adults and single mothers are parenting too many children in our society. These trends have also been implicated as a major force behind the devaluation of father's role in families and the belief that mothers alone can raise children. Still, overwhelming evidence confirms the positive impact on children and families when fathers are present, and numerous social problems that result when they are absent. Insofar as families of African descent are specifically concerned, many regard the problem of absent fathers as critical. Studies suggest that almost 70% of families of African descent in some subgroups might not have fathers present. A link has also been established between father absence and numerous problems in families, including juvenile delinquency. Up to 80% of juvenile delinquents are from homes without fathers (Father Facts, 2002). Although father absence is by no means the only factor responsible for delinquency, a disproportionate number of juveniles who were raised without fathers, end up in penal institutions. Compelling evidence also points to the disturbing discovery that more young men of African descent are in penal institutions than in institutions of higher learning - a finding that poses additional concerns for the future of men of African descent, many of whom will be fathers, if they are not already. Even so, lack of adequate information on many subgroups of fathers of African descent in the United States, implies that greater care needs to being taken when general statements are made about fathers of African descent. Much of the information in circulation on this population is based on studies conducted on African Americans, with very little information being available on other subgroups. Research on other subgroups that are of African descent, on many of whom information is scarce, needs to be more of a priority. Until more studies are conducted on a wider cross-section of families of African descent, reliable conclusions cannot be made about the extent of these problems in various subgroups. Despite the absence of data on families in some subgroups, available statistics on father absence in major groups continue to be quite alarming. Over 30% of all American children live without their biological father and over 27% live with single parents. Half the children who live without a father have never even been to his home; about 40% have not seen their father in a year. Over a quarter of them, do not even live in the same state (Father Facts, 2002). Even with these findings, although out of wedlock births and divorce contribute significantly to father absence and non-involvement, they continue to be major concerns in our society. In fact, evidence suggests that the number of out of wedlock births is increasing. Furthermore, despite their best efforts, about a half of those who marry for the first time, will witness the dissolution of their marriage, with over one million more children being affected by their parents' divorce each year. From any angle, the American family and indeed the entire society are indeed in serious social trouble. Americans consistently recognize absent fathers as a major social concern, and available evidence continues to place America at the top when it comes to countries in which fathers are absent from families (Father Facts, 2002).
About Dr. Percy Ricketts
Dr. Percy Ricketts is a Psychotherapist, Fatherhood Consultant and Nationally Certified Counselor. He is an alumnus of Virginia Tech, Nova Southeastern and Argosy Universities, and he maintains active memberships in numerous local, national and international counseling-related and fatherhood organizations. Fathers of African Descent is his third volume in a series of recent pursuits. He speaks Spanish fluently and he enjoys working with multicultural clients. He resides with his family in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Finally! A fresh look at fatherhood in families of African descent.