A father will always play a vital role in a child's growing years, especially sons. His absence or presence in the child's life will have a profound impact in the future. In Black Fathers Black Sons, author Ray Waters delves into the relationships of African-American men and reveals new insights that will fuel debate and debunk many myths. (Author abstract)
This fact sheet focuses on the implementation of the Head Start program in South Dakota. It begins by explaining the establishment of the South Dakota Head Start State Collaboration, the history of Head Start, and the beliefs and goals of Head Start related to school readiness. Head Start program options are reviewed, as well as an early learning framework and the racial characteristics of children enrolled in Head Start in South Dakota in 2012/2013. It is reported that in 2013-2014 a total of 3,990 families participated in Head Start, 22% of the parents had less than a high school diploma,…
This fact sheet describes the changes and characteristics of households and families in South Dakota from 1980 to 2010. Information indicates South Dakota has a slightly higher percentage of married couple families than the United States (50% vs 48%). The State also has a slightly higher percentage of male headed families with their own children under age 18 (3% vs 2%). The United States has a slightly higher percentage of female and male headed families, and female headed families with own children under age 18 (13% vs 10%). Historical data indicates the number of female- or male-headed…
The Best Kept Secret studies the often-overlooked group of single, African American custodial fathers. While the media focuses on the increase of single mothers and the decline in marriage in the black community, Roberta Coles paints a nuanced picture of single black dads. Based on qualitative research, the author looks at the parenting experience of these fathers, who may have become single parents through nonmarital births, divorce, widowhood and adoption. The fathers, ranging in age from 20 to 76, discuss their motivations for taking custody of their children, what roles they enact as…
The majority of African American children live in homes without their fathers, but the proportion of African American children living in intact, two-parent families has risen significantly since 1995. Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society looks at father absence from two sides, offering an in-depth analysis of how the absence of African American fathers affects their children, their relationships, and society as a whole, while countering the notion that father absence and family fragmentation within the African American community is inevitable. Editors Obie Clayton, Ronald B. Mincy,…
The concept of fatherlessness has emerged at the center of debates over welfare, poverty, sexuality, divorce, family values, and "racial disorder." Do children need fathers? Do mothers need husbands? Should we celebrate or grieve the loss (or transformation) of fatherhood? Is there a relation between "fatherlessness" and the destitution and crime of inner-city communities? Or is talk about "fatherlessness" simply a political diversion from the true sources of inequality and social disruption? This collection brings together the voices of nine highly diverse scholars to reflect on the…
The fatherless black family is a problem that grows to bigger proportions every year as generations of black children grow up without an adult male in their homes. Even the minority of black men who do live with their children often struggle with the role. As this dire pattern grows worse, what can men do who hope to break it, when there are so few models and so little guidance in their own homes and communities? Where can they learn to "become Dad?"When Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Pitts-who himself grew up with an abusive father whose absences came as a relief-interviewed dozens of men…
Offering an eloquent combination of fifty beautiful black-and-white photographs and poignant quotations from the fathers and children portrayed, Commitment provides a powerful rendition of fatherhood in black America.The father is often perceived as someone absent from the African American family, though the reasons for this perception vary. This book shows another side to that image, a positive one depicting black men who are supportive and nurturing parents. To reveal and celebrate this less often recognized parent, Carole Patterson has spent several years crossing the continent to…
This fact sheet on adolescents living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 14 million adolescents (ages 12-17) in the United States in 2014, and 40% live in low-income families and 19% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of adolescents living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 35% in 2008 to 40% in 2014, adolescents are nearly twice as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, adolescents are less likely to live in low-income and poor families than younger…
This 2014 fact sheet on children living in low-income families in the United States begins by explaining that there are more than 24 million children (ages 6-11) in the United States, and 45% live in low-income families and 22% live in poor families. Statistics are provided that indicate the percentage of children living in low-income families has been on the rise, increasing from 40% in 2008 to 45% in 2014, children are nearly twice as likely as adults 65 years and older to live in poor families, young children under age 6 years are the most likely to live in low-income families, followed by…
