The effects of African American males being raised in a single parent home
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I3
Introduction3
Background of Study4
Statement of Problem4
Purpose of the Research5
Significance of the Study5
Research Question5
Implications of the Question for Practice or Research5
Limitations of the Study7
Definitions7
1) Dependent Variable7
2) Independent Variable7
3) Relevant Variable(s)8
CHAPTER II9
Review of Related Literature9
CHAPTER III13
Research Methodology13
Research Design13
Subjects13
Assignment of Subject to Experimental Groups13
Experimental Period13
Method for Collection of Data13
Method for Analysis of Data14
t test of mean differences)14
Instrumentation14
Procedures14
References16
CHAPTER I
Introduction
As single parent homes have become more prevalent, the fixation on family structure has disintegrated. Over half of society's African American youth are being raised by one parent, namely the mother. The need for role models and the attempt to substitute them has created an alliance of deviancy with less than ideal older models and more youth living in female headed households and seeking unfit role models (Ancona, 1998). These role models are men who are themselves engaged in deviant, antisocial and often illegal behavior. The support and mentorship established in the traditional homes has been neglected and therefore rejected by these youth. The absence of fathers leads to the misguided notion of non-responsibility for African American adolescents and fosters a youth culture of delinquent behavior. In poor economic times, the affliction of poverty and the absence of family structure become more problematic.
Another negative repercussion of growing up without a suitable father in the home is the increased risk of chemical abuse by African American adolescent males. The absence of the father is generally the main predictor for drug use by black boys (Mandara & Murray, 2006). This is true even when we factor in family socioeconomic status, parental monitoring, friends' drug use and neighborhood crime. Black boys in father-absent homes are not only more likely to use drugs than boys in father present homes, they are also more likely to use drugs than girls in father absent homes (Mandara & Murray, 2006). There were no gender differences when the father was present.
Background of Study
This study examines behaviors of African American male adolescents, resulting from father absence. It further examined the extent to which there is a relation between African American boys' behavior and their status as sons of an absent father. Effects of father absence was approached by researching articles and journals comparing African American males raised in female headed household to African American boys raised in traditional two parent homes. Four major youth pathogens were examined. Juvenile crime/delinquency, teen pregnancy, teen drug abuse and school dropout correlated with fatherlessness more than any other socioeconomic factor. Through the literature review it was concluded that there are several marked distinctions among African American boys growing up without fathers compared to those growing up with fathers. Boys without fathers in the home have a noticeably higher rate of incidence of drug abuse, school dropout, crime and delinquency, and teen pregnancy.
Statement of Problem
The focus in this paper is to determine whether delinquent behaviors of African American male adolescents are a result of father ...