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Publication #FAR0056

 

African American Parents1

Suzanna Smith2

The recent death of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks has once again drawn the nation’s attention to the struggles and strengths of African Americans and their families. Like Rosa Parks, African American parents have the “power to do something" for their children (Purdy, 2005).

One example comes from African American families living in the rural South, who often face many challenges while raising their children. For instance, in rural areas there are fewer job opportunities, limited (if any) public transportation, few recreational facilities for their children and teens, and a lack of social services to help with problems.

However, researchers at the University of Georgia have found that many strong African American parents “help youth develop” the “academic, emotional, and social skills” to succeed (Purdy, 2005 p. 10). Even when faced with poverty and long-term unemployment, these parents are doing something right because their children are doing well in school, accept themselves, and have few behavioral problems (Murry et al., 2005; Purdy, 2005).

Parents are “nurturing and involved, often spending time talking and listening to what is going on in their children’s lives" (Brody, Kim, Murry & Brown, 2004; Murry et al., 2005). They clearly communicate their expectations about how children should behave. They are also vigilant, monitoring where their children are and whom they are with (Brody, Kim, Murry & Brown, 2004). These parenting practices help youth take in their parents' values and think before they act, which can prevent them from getting into risky situations (Murry et al., 2005; Purdy, 2005).

The researchers concluded that positive parenting practices can help young African Americans living in challenging circumstances (Murry et al., 2005).

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References

Brody, G. H., Kim, S., Murry, V. M., & Brown, A. C. (2004). Protective longitudinal paths linking child competence to behavioral problems among African American siblings. Child Development, 75, 455-467.

Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., McHair, L. D., Luo, Z., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., & Wills, T. A. (2005). Parental involvement promotes rural African American youths’ self-pride and sexual self-concepts. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 627-642.

Purdy, J. (Summer, 2005). Forging strong families. UGA Research Magazine, 43(1), 10-11.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR0056, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 309. Published March 2009. Revised October 2010. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Services, Cooperative Extension Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.