[Mentor Programs and African American Males]

By

Acknowledgement

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, and peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of effects of mentoring in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on effects of mentoring and its relation with African American Males. The research also analyzes many aspects of effects of mentoring and tries to gauge its effect on African American Males. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for effects of mentoring and tries to describe the overall effect of “Topic” on African American Males.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background1

Problem Statement3

Purpose of The Study3

Research Questions3

Scope, Limitations, and Delimitations4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

A need for adequate child care and programming within inner-city communities5

Mentoring6

Recognition of Existing Family and Community Assets8

African American Programming Issues8

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY12

REFERENCES13

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background

African Americans male represent the largest culturally diverse group in the United States (United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census [USDOC], 1987), yet statistics indicate a high risk factor for the well-being of the African American population. Economic hardships and the psychological and physiological burden of oppression are lethally combined to disadvantage African Americans male, adding significant obstacles to their successful academic, personal, and social development (Barbarin, 1993). Statistics provide the basis for considerable concern for the long-term emotional, social, and economic existence of African Americans male, especially men.

For example, two thirds of the African American population have poor health care, and the mortality rate is high for African American infants (Kappan Special Report, 1990; National Center for Health Statistics, [NCHS], 1990). Additionally, one out of every two families in this population lives in poverty (USDOC, 1987). When compared with other cultural groups, African American youth, especially boys, are disproportionately represented among perpetrators and victims of aggressive crimes or of violent crimes (Hacker, 1992; NCHS, 1990). When compared with the Anglo-American adolescent male population, African American male adolescents are at a greater risk in terms of criminality and death rates at a ratio of 5:1 (NCHS, 1990). As a result of the inequities of society, African American male adolescents are at greater risk for developing frustration and anger (Campbell-Whatley, 1993). Many variables seem to interact with those previously identified to contribute to poor educational development among African American adolescents as well.

Research on academic achievement in school has revealed some alarming statistics for the African American population. Kamp and Chinn (1982) reported that in the United States a disproportionate number of students in special education (about 33%) were members of ethnic minorities. African American youths are disproportionately represented in special education and are consistently ...