African-American Fathers and Children Bonds

Joseph LaCoste
and children

More often than not, there is more focus put upon the bonding relationships with mother and children, than father and children. Many fathers know how to provide great care for their children just like that of mothers. I grew up in a home were my father was absent from my life. Not one time did anyone stop to think about the effects that that caused in my life.

The National Fatherhood initiative conducts research on the causes and consequences of father absence and trends in family structure and marriage. According to 2011 U.S. Census Bureau data, over 24 million children live apart from their biological father. That is 1 out of every 3 (33%) children in America. Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) African American children live in father-absent homes. One in three (34%) Hispanic children, and 1 in 4 (25%) white children live in father-absent homes. In 1960 only 11 % of children live in father-absent home.

Christopher Gordon and son

There are more African American men that raise, bond and support their children than what is reported by any research or study that has been conducted by organization. There are fathers who walk their kids to school, cook breakfast and dinner, comb their daughters hair, iron clothes, and spend time with them.

I personally think that we should started highlighting those fathers who are there. Sometimes we  can focus on the negative images and rather than those fathers who are being fathers. Many of the men who didn't grow up with their father's in their lives, want to be better than their own fathers. Simply because they know what it is like not to have a father in their life.

Junious Buchanan & baby

An involved father is crucial to the healthy development of a child. Recent studies have suggested that children whose fathers are actively involved with them from birth are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident in exploring their surrounding, have better social connections with peers as they grow older, are less likely to get in trouble at home and at school, and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol. Children whose father are nurturing, involved turn out to have higher IQs.

We should work hard to dispel the negative stereotype of low-income fathers. Just because a father may be living below the poverty line doesn't mean that he does not care about his children. How many time can we count the positive images we see the media post about African-American men and their children? There are many African American fathers in our societies who care about their children and love them.

Johnny Seymore and son

The bond between a father and his children are simply beautiful. I wrote this blog with one thing in mind, and that is to change the negative that society portrait about African American men. While trying to select images for this blog, I must say that there where many to choose from.

Many men are wonderful and supporting stepfathers as well. "Nurturing Our Roots Television and Radio Talk Shows" would like to let these fathers know how much we appreciate them.