Commentary by Daniel T. Zanoza, National Director, RFFM.org
Editor's note: This is the third in a series of columns and articles about the issue of race and race relations in America.
In the mid-1970's, after obtaining my degree in social work, I was employed by an organization which attempted to heal dysfunctional families. One thing I soon came to learn was a great deal of those children on our caseload were from single-parent households. Most certainly, there are problems which exist within families where both parents are present. However, by far, my co-workers and I saw a pattern that was directly related to the fact one parent was missing and, often, that parent was the father.
Children from families where a father figure was no longer present literally clung to the male caseworkers on our staff. At times, it was painful for those of us who would go home at quitting time because we knew these children could not retreat to a similar refuge. This does not mean all single mothers are destined to fail as parents. I am saying all the data indicated the job of parenting became exponentially harder when a parent was absent. In many circumstances, once problems began within a single-parent household, it was virtually impossible to effectively intervene.
What I learned from my experience as a family therapist has clarified problems which I see affecting the African-American community in the 21st century. Today statistics indicate over 7 out of 10 black children live in families where the father is no longer present and, all too often, offer little or no support to the family on the whole. But this social phenomenon is quickly spreading to other racial groups in America. Nearly 35% of white children are now born out of wedlock. This cultural epidemic has manifested itself with ever-increasing juvenile crime and teen-age pregnancies. However, by far, the situation has had its greatest impact on African-Americans.
Sadly, black leaders rarely, if ever, utilize the bully pulpit to discuss this subject from an intellectual standpoint. The failure of black students to prosper within public education, discrimination by employers and institutionalized racism are seen as primary causes for the poverty and other social ills which impact blacks. The denial regarding the failure of African-American men to take responsibility for their offspring has only exacerbated the situation and left a culture literally chasing its tail in search of answers that should be obvious to many observers.
The reason for the denial may stem from a lack by some to take the proverbial bull by the horns. It is easier to blame others for problems within a culture. However, when the true cause for suffering is overlooked--for any reason--the crisis facing that community may never be resolved.
Ironically, in a way, blacks are not totally responsible for the high birth rate among unwed mothers. President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society practically encouraged black men to leave their families. It was more economically sound for the government to pay black and poor white women who had children out of wedlock. Fathers who stayed home with their families, in many cases, could not match government stipends with low-paying jobs. Thus the cycle of poverty continued for many years. Welfare reform which passed in the mid-1990's has begun to wean poor families off of the government dole, but the damage done may take generations to repair.
Also, other cultural factors resulting from the societal revolution of the 1960's helped feed the growth of single-parent households. Moral standards were relaxed and some feminists actually said male role models were not needed in the home. Obviously, these ideas were not premised with the health of families in mind. Many such assertions about what made up a positive environment for children were self-serving and meant to advance political agendas.
Some leaders in the African-American community have stepped up to identify the crisis related to fatherless families, but they have paid the price. Actor and comedian Bill Cosby has been one of the most outspoken regarding this matter. At the same time, Cosby has been pilloried by African-American intelligentsia who see his words as capitulation to white America. Cosby has been called everything from a sell-out to an Uncle Tom by liberal blacks who speak down from their high towers in institutions of higher learning.
There are problems with inner-city public schools. There are cases where institutionalized racism does exist. There are other factors which need to be addressed by African-Americans who are looking to better the lives of future generations which will make America stronger on the whole and certainly the rest of us need to do our part. But until those within the African-American community face up to the problem of absentee fathers, we will continue to spin our wheels as a society in a futile search for solutions that stand right before us.
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