African American Children: Socialization and Development in Families (Understanding Families series)

In the context of growing diversity, Shirley A. Hill examines the work parents do in raising their children. Based on interviews and survey data, **African American Children** includes blacks of various social classes as well as a comparative sample of whites. It covers major areas of child socialization: teaching values, discipline strategies, gender socialization, racial socialization, extended families -- showing how both race and class make a difference, and emphasizing patterns that challenge existing research that views black families as a monolithic group. Contents 5 Preface: Children: Our Raison d'être 9 Acknowledgments 23 Chapter 1 - Childhood in Transition 25 Childhood in Colonial America 26 Childhood in Modern America 28 The Postindustrial Family Transition 32 Black Children: A Diversity of Experiences 36 Poverty and Parenthood: Single Mothers, Absent Fathers 40 Chapter 2 - Caste, Class, and Culture 47 Caste Analysis 50 Class Analyses: The Social Deficit Model 56 Class Analyses: Contemporary Perspectives 59 Cultural Analyses 60 Culture as Pathology 62 Culture as Strength 64 Child Socialization in Cultural Context 66 The Underclass Controversy: A Reemergence of Culture as Pathology 69 Conclusions 73 Chapter 3 - Parenting Work 75 The Social Capital Perspective 77 Current Value Priorities 78 Education: Obstacles and Opportunities 83 Future Hopes of Parents 87 The Parenting Role 89 Discipline Strategies 91 Spanking and Child Abuse 94 Sexual Socialization 95 Reasons for Teen Sexuality 96 Sex Education and Birth Control 98 Intergenerational Changes 101 Conclusions 103 Chapter 4 - Racial Socialization 105 Parental Perceptions of Racial Barriers 107 Education and Racial Integration 109 Self-Esteem 111 Challenging Definitions of Blackness 115 Racial Socialization Messages 116 Redefining Physical Attractiveness 120 Self-Esteem Revisited 122 Conclusions 125 Chapter 5 - Gender Socialization 127 Theorizing About Gender 131 The Social Construction of Gender Among Blacks 132 Current Priorities and Future Hopes 134 Parenting Roles and Discipline 136 The Role of Gender in Child Rearing 139 The Organization of Gender in the Family 143 The Gender Dilemma of African Americans 145 Conclusions 125 Chapter 6 - Beyond the Nuclear Family 153 The Community 154 Extended Families 157 Do Children Benefit From Extended Family Participation? 162 The Demise of the Grandmother's Role 164 Religious Resources 166 Public Policy 168 Conclusions 171 Chapter 7 - Continuity and Change 173 Black Parenthood in Historical Perspective 176 Black Parenthood in Contemporary Perspective 178 Future Directions 185 Appendix A: Research Methodology 187 Appendix B: Interview Guide 191 Appendix C: Parenting Survey 192 References 197 Index 209 About the Author 216 African American Children Is A Comprehensive Exploration Of Historical And Contemporary Patterns Of Parenting In Black Families. Historically, It Focuses On How Slavery, Race, The Racial Caste System, And The African American Culture Influenced The Ways In Which African Americans Parented Their Children. This Series Of Social Forces Seriously Circumscribed The Ability Of African Americans To Conform To The Ideologies About The Nature Of Children And The Roles Of Parents That Began To Evolve In The Earth 20[superscript Th] Century. In The Context Of Growing Diversity, Shirley A. Hill Examines The Work That African American Parents Do In Raising Their Children And Explores General Child Socialization Patterns, As Well As Parenting Issues And Challenges. Providing An Analysis Of The Views, Philosophies, And Parenting Strategies Of Parent From A Variety Of Social Class Backgrounds. African American Children Combines Both Qualitative And Quantitative Data Collected To Examine A Broad Overview Of Current Theoretical Debates About African American Families As They Relate To Child Socialization.--jacket. Preface: Children: Our Raison D'être -- Childhood In Transition -- Caste, Class, And Culture -- Parenting Work -- Racial Socialization -- Gender Socialization -- Beyond The Nuclear Family -- Continuity And Change -- Appendix A: Research Methodology -- Appendix B: Interview Guide -- Appendix C: Parenting Survey. Shirley A. Hill. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 173-184) And Index. A comprehensive exploration of historical and contemporary patterns of parenting in black families, this book focuses on how slavery, race, and black culture influenced the ways in which blacks parented their children