There are numerous differences within the two articles; however, only three will be discussed: Mott examines the effects of the matriarch on the rearing of girls and boys, while Elaine et. al. does not which leads to different methodological approaches. Elaine
et al. attempts to examine the differences in family environment, school environmental variables, and involvement with alcohol and conduct disorder. Mott does not; He examines the differences between black and white children while Elaine et al. focuses on African-American children. Although there are differences in the aspects explored involving single parent homes, neither is of less importance than the other. It also leaves room for further research.
Implications and Applications
The absence of fathers and the effect is has on African-American boys is
extremely pertinent. I grew up in Madison County, Florida without my father. Some of the issues explored by Elaine et al. and Mott are typical of my life. For example, the former explores the relationship between the absence of fathers and engaging in conduct disorder. Elaine et al. concluded that there was a significant difference between the skipping school and cutting class in father absent adolescents and father present adolescents (1999). As an adolescent, it appeared as if the others around me in dual parent households were more structured and obedient. Perhaps this is due to the disciplinary role that fathers typically play. On the other hand, other conduct disorder, such as running away from home, did not apply to me. This is in agreement with the myth (which may possible be true) that African American children do not runaway from home because of not knowing where to go and most importantly the fear of not being able to return. Subsequently, Mott takes the difference in child raising patterns into effect when considering the outcome of single parent homes (1994).
In addition, Mott also examines the relationship between girls and the absence of their father (1999). He concluded that gender difference was less pronounced in African-American children (1999, p.11). In other words, regardless of your gender, the absence e of a father generally has the same effect. His could also be the result of cultural differences. However, my sisters seemed to be favored in my household. My mother and my sisters were able to bond on a different level than my mother and me. There seemed to be a lack of understanding when it came to gender specifics (e.g. sex and relationships) although my mother claimed to understand since she was once a girl.
Next, one important issue that must not be overlooked is the issue of African-American family structure. Elaine et al. agrees that the African-American family structure is often extended and multigenerational and not limited to the membership of the nuclear family (1999, p.1). In this setting, often other male role models are available to the children. This allowed for a strong network of social and economic support to take place. Another implication arises: It is not the absence of the father that makes the difference in African Americans and whites or girls and boys, but the quality of the relationships present. Consequently, I do not feel as though I was deprived of anything because of the absence of my father and his lack of support, but I do recognize that it made my mother work harder. Similar to Elaine et al., I attribute that to the strong network of family and role models, specifically role models that were present in my adolescence. Not all African-American fatherless children grow up to be criminals and rapist and it does take a village to raise a child.
Last, as stated by Elaine et al., institutional racism cannot be excused for some problem behaviors, for example, where African-American male students are not treated fairly by the school system and the society in general which could be contributing to the poor academic performance of some of the adolescents. This is an important point, because many believe, including myself, that the school system (and the society as a whole) is not geared towards rearing successful African-American men and women. This is especially evident in the over-representation of black males in the juvenile justice system and the lack of blacks attending college. Yes, it has improved, but not enough. Elaine et al. stresses the importance of prevention and counseling strategies (1999, p. 7). And I agree.
Critique
The findings and conclusions deduced by Elaine et al. are impacting. However, the findings fail to take into account the differences in geographical locations, and the effects of non-biological fathers (e.g. step-fathers.)
First, geographical locations are not taken into effect. It appears as if a convenient sample was used of Midwest adolescents. The issue of perhaps, children in the South being raised differently from the children in the Midwest is not addressed at all. There could possibly be more slave descendants in the South, which could possibly affect how children are disciplined when there is conduct disorder or poor academic performance.
Second, it does not explain whether non-biological fathers were present at all. The presence of stepfathers could make a significant difference in the results of this
study. For example, Elaine et al. suggests that there was no strong empirical evidence for the link between father absence and criminal behavior (1999, p.2). However, this could have been due to the presence of a stepfather or even and a live in boyfriend.
All in all, when these factors are taken into account the results of the study can be misleading. It is important to remember that as much bias as possible should be eliminated and strong confounding variables should be recognized.
In addition, this study appeared to be thorough and strong in its implications. One finding that I did not mention earlier was that, interestingly, 77% of those participants who skipped a grade had to repeat a grade to catch (1999, p.5). Perhaps the practice of skipping grades needs to be abandoned since in the end there is no gain from actually skipping a grade.
References
Elaine et al. (1999). Behavioral differences between African American male adolescents
with biological fathers and those without biological fathers in the home. Journal
of Black Studies, 30 (1), from hhtp://web8,epnet.com.
Mott, Frank L. (1994). Sons, daughters and fathers; absences: differentials in father
leaving probabilities and in home environments. Journal of Family Issues, 15 (1),
from .
Saltau, Chloe. (2001, April 3). Boys harmed by fathers’ absence. Social Policy Reporter
from .
.
