Literature Review: Absent Fathers and Their Impact on Black Sons

This literature review examines the multifaceted impact of absent fathers on African American young men. It synthesizes research from various sources, including Brown et al. (2018), Bocknek et al. (2017), Corneau (2018), Randhawa (2017), and Ross (2018), to explore the psychological, social, and...Read More

Literature review
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The intergenerational transmission of parenting behavior among African American young
men
The role of African American fathers in their son’s life cannot be taken for granted. The gap of
their absence is always evident after their deaths or arrest. According to Brown et al, (2018), one
of these impacts is that these boys tend to look upon other people to provide and mentor them.
Many of these sons end up living with their extended family members in America. The outcome
of the action is that some of these African boys begin developing unfriendly behaviors that
negatively impact how they interact with other people in the society. Fathers always play
protective and disciplinary role in their son’s lives. The absence of the fathers attract bad
behaviors especially when these boys approach the adolescent period. During research to
establish the impact of African American fathers, many families only had mothers to respond to
the impact of the gap that have been created when their husbands passed away. Mothers are
overwhelmed with the role of providing to the family and ensuring that their sons have good
moral values. There are cases where African American-fathers were taken to prisons yet their
wives had passed on earlier. In such a circumstance, Brown et al, (2018) said that there is a lot of
burden on the son. These boys take the mantle of providing to the rest of the family members
according to Brown et al, (2018). It is an activity that negatively impact the dreams of these boys
especially in America where they are non-resident.
African American fathers’ mental health & child well-being
According to Bocknek et al, (2017), fathers play a critical role in the development of a child
especially the male child. Apart from being the economic providers African American fathers
contribute positively to the psychological health of their sons. Bocknek et al, (2017) stated that
one of the main impact of the absent fathers is that the boys are mentally disturbed. For instance,

when these sons see other American boys spending quality time with their fathers they start
wondering what happened to their Africa America fathers. Their mothers are not in a position to
explain to them clearly what happened. One of the reasoning is that their husbands might have
disappeared in a hurting manner. Consequently, black boys need their fathers to succeed.
However, the black sons without fathers register a slow progress in multiple things they do
according to Bocknek et al, (2017).
Absent fathers, lost sons
Corneau, (2018) stated, the gap created by absence of African America fathers also gives the
African American boys to explore their potential. For instance the decision making capability.
Given that America is foreign land, the African- American boys have limited chances upon the
death of their fathers. Survival when the head of the family is absent need a well calculated
tactics. It is challenge to these sons. Many African American families come from humble
backgrounds. Some of these boys are challenged to search for a side hustle as they continue with
their education. It is also important to note that the humble they have challenge them to work
hard according to Corneau, (2018). In many instance, they take up they positive roles of their
fathers. For example, they advise their younger brother on the best way to approach multiple
issues. They also extend these leadership skills to universities and colleges they attend. The best
example is the former president of the United States Mr. Barrack Obama. According to Corneau,
(2018), these are some leaders who have motivated the African American boys that they can take
up the roles of their fathers through their mothers support. It is a positive impact and challenge to
the African American boys.
Consequently, there are scenarios where some African American families are faced with poverty,
the sons do not end up meeting their dreams. They end up with miserable life of drug

consumption and other bad behaviors. However, there are families that are disciplined. The
absence of the father do not negatively affect them much. They consider it as the opportunity to
work hard and help other siblings.
The Impact of African American Fathers on Their Sons' Romantic Relationships
Randhawa, (2017) stated that Several African American homes that are led by mothers only have
proved to be prone to the disintegration of the normal family structures. The attempt to substitute
role models in these families lead to defiance with black boys being the main casualties. African
American boys have gone to seek role models outside the households in families lead by female
parent only. According to Randhawa, (2017), fathers were the ones leading the mentorship and
support instituted in the traditional homes. The black boys have neglected the attempt by their
mothers to mentor and control them. Many Americans seeing the black boys as non-responsible
children who miss authority in their households. The gap created the death of the African
American fathers have made their some to engage in delinquent behaviors according to
Randhawa, (2017). Poverty have also increased the rise of bad behavior in the lives of these
boys. Many American families are now associating them with drug abuse and theft that occur
within their residents. With no one to rescue them they end up in police hands or become street
boys. They continue loitering around with no specify work to do. The scenario is different for
female child cases, the risk of boy child engaging in drug abuse after the death of the father is
higher than that of girls. Some of the things that influence the boys’ behavior when their fathers
are away is the freedom they have in America. They can easily get in touch with other families
who had lost direction after the death or arrest of their African American fathers. However, these
behaviors are dangerous to these boys. It destroys their future. Many of them end up with mental
illness or being jailed after going against the law.

The Absent Father: One Explanation of Behavioral Problems Among African American
Males
There are specific activities that are meant for men mainly. For instance taking the leadership
role in a family. In the absence of American fathers, the boys lack crucial person who can
motivate them to take part in specific activities according to Ross, (2018). For instance, some of
these boys have talents in running or playing football. They always wish that their fathers would
have been there to motivate and see them taking part in the competition. Even though these black
boys do not need fathers to be successful, motivation from their fathers increase their chances of
success. According to Ross, (2018), many African-American boys end up being uneducated in
America. They end up missing quality opportunities that they would have gotten if their fathers
would have been around. They continue lamenting why they ended up in the foreign land where
their chances are limited as compared to American children.
According to Ross, (2018), the absence of African American fathers to their son’s lives have
more negative impacts than the positive impacts. Some of these impacts include psychological
effect, stress, deterioration of mental health and ability to create other new ideas. Due to socio-
economic status of African-American families, fathers mainly play the role a protector, mentor,
bread winner and discipline to the family. When the father is arrested or pass away, mothers are
the people to guide the families or things to do. However, mothers seem weak in many scenarios.
They are overwhelmed with these family activities. It comes to the black boys ‘realization that
they need to come in and help in some activities. At this point the impact of absent fathers
become evident. The first impact is change in role. The eldest son in these families take the
mantle to lead other younger brothers. He advices other brothers on decision making skills.

References
Bocknek, E. L., Lewis, M. L., & Raveau, H. A. (2017). African American fathers’ mental health
& child well-being: A cultural practices, strengths-based perspective. African American
children in early childhood education: Making the case for policy investments in
families, schools, and communities, 221-243.
Brown, G. L., Kogan, S. M., & Kim, J. (2018). From fathers to sons: The intergenerational
transmission of parenting behavior among African American young men. Family
process, 57(1), 165-180.
Corneau, G. (2018). Absent fathers, lost sons: The search for masculine identity. Shambhala
Publications.
Randhawa, S. K. (2017). The Impact of African American Fathers on Their Sons' Romantic
Relationships (Doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University).
Ross, G. (2018). The Absent Father: One Explanation of Behavioral Problems Among African
American Males. Available at SSRN 3203677.