SINGLE PARENT HOME

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 ...