Stereotypes Role in the Decline of African American Marriages

In Chapman, A. B. (2007). In search of love and commitment: Dealing with the challenging odds of finding romance, Chapman suggests that African Americans are not “rushing” to get married due to economic reasons, and low marriageability rates for both males and females.    And according to New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/opinion/sunday/black-and-female-the-marriage-question.html?pagewanted=all , the low rate of African Americans getting married is still prevalent. 

Chapman explains that African American men and woman believe damaging stereotypes about each other, an issue with roots deep in slavery. In another article, “African-American Women and the Male-Female Relationship Dilemma: A Counseling Perspective,” Bethea explains that because of slavery and the aftermath of it all both African American men and women could not fully fulfill their gender roles in the family. One example of this is the man’s ability to contribute economically. In Richardson, B.L. & Wade, B. (2001). What mama couldn’t teach us about love, “Anti-Intimacy Beliefs” are used to help understand the myths African American women often face when in a relationship. These myths can be understood through slavery. For example, the belief “ “I will lose anyone who gets close to me” is tied into the fact that families were often always separated during slavery. The myth “I’m not good enough to be loved” can also be tied into slavery. Slave owners saw African Americans as property and treated them as that. Slave owners used tactics to lower slaves self-worth in hopes that this would make them more obedient.

Different psychoeducational programs geared towards African Americans could help to increase African American marriages.  Educating youth and adults on the emotional, social, and economic benefits of marriage may help to reshape the idea that one cannot marry because of economic reasons, but instead one should marry to better their economic situation. These programs could be implemented in churches or through school programs. Another issue that could be possibly helped by implementing psychoeducational programs in churches and high schools, is the issue of low marriageability rates.  Psychoeducational programs that gear to educate men and woman on stereotypes within the African American dating community and their roots, provide information on how to have positive conversations with partners about the effects of these stereotypes on their relationships, and allow for open discussions on healthy relationships.

The Lack of African American Couples

Jay-Z and Beyoncé: Empowering African American Couples and Communities

 

 

In the article by Paul Offner (2002). What’s love got to do with it?: Disparity between black men and women, Paul presents several explanations for why African American women are advancing so far beyond African American men. Paul mentions Andrew Hacker’s theory that when businesses look to meet their “African American quota” they tend to hire African American females because they are “less threating.”  This theory is interesting to explore and is tied deeply in with not only African American oppression, but also oppression of women. Looking at the right to vote, African American men were allowed to vote before women of all color, however, allot of African American women in the south did not received recognition to vote till the 1960s. Knowing this, one would think African American women would now have less opportunities and success than men. However, with the creation of equal opportunity laws businesses were forced to hire African Americans, of course women overall are not threating to the white male fronted businesses, so naturally more African American females than males were hired in the offices. 

We Did It!

 

According to the editorial by Raspberry on “Successful women who are childless”, 60% of African American women between 28-55 years old earning over $55,000 a year are married.  According to Cornel West, the ratio of African American men to African American women college students at Harvard pretty even in 1970. Today, it's about 9 African American women for every African American man. John Hope Franklin’s “African American Families” article uses a similar theory that Hacker used to describe the large gap between working African American females and males. African American men were seen as a threat to the patriarchal white society in 80’s, leaving African American men with very little opportunities to support their families. African American women, seen as less threatening, were able to enter the workforce with more ease. 
 

In article by Eckholm, E. (2006), “Studies sound alarm on plight of black males”, Eckholm explores how the plight deepened for African American men in the last 2 decades. During the 90s the American economy was stable and strong, but African American men did not benefit from this successful economic period. Quite the opposite, an alarming disproportionate number of African American males were jailed during the “Tough on Crime” and “War on Drugs” political campaigns of the 80s and 90s. Once released from prison it was nearly impossible for the large number of African American men with records to find work to support them selves, yet alone their families. Laws regarding the collection of child support made this time period even more challenging for African American males who loss custody of their children due to legal and family issues. Unable to find work and pay child support, African American males stay in the terminal cycle of the legal system to this day.

From the article by Edwards, A. (2002), “Bring me home a black girl”, Edwards uses the term "annihilation through integration" to describe the theory that if African American men and African American women marry people of other races, the African American community will eventually disappear.  Edwards’ Theory can be used to explain the low African American marriageability index today. McLarin and Evans describes that African American men and women tend to marry outside other races because they do not see their own race as high on the marriageability index. An increase in marriageability index among and between African American couples could increase as more positive and powerful African American couples increase in media and political popularity. President Obama and First Lady Michele as well as music legends Beyoncé and Jay-Z are two positive African American couple inspirations. 

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith

To consider the future of African American marriage I believe it is important to look at the future of marriage for all Americans as a whole, as recent equality laws and political and economic changes have shifted the future of marriage in America. However, with positive African American leaders more prominent in American politics and culture and the increase of African American communities coming together to support the “Black Lives Matter” movement, there is a possibility for an increase in African American marriage.  

Nguzo Saba's 7 principles and Tyler Perry

You can see the importance of the seven Nguzo Saba principles throughout African American History. The principles of unity are seen in 1809 when New York finally recognizes marriage within the African American community. In 1906 unity and other principals, such as collective work and responsibility, and purpose, can be observed when the first black fraternity was created at Cornell University.  Collective work and responsibility as well as self-determination are two principals that are present when in 2001 republican president George W. Bush nominated the first African American

Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. These and other Nguzo Saba principals can be seen today in the Black Lives Matter movement as well as in social service interventions with African American families and youth.

Aminifu R. Harvey and Robert B. Hill explain that a strength-based approach using the Afrocentric principals can increase the self-esteem and drug risk knowledge in African American youth and families.  In Harvey and Hill’s interventions they focused on the seven principals. Unity, faith, purpose can be found in the family enhancement and empowerment component of their intervention that consisted of enhancement and em-powerment sessions for parents and guardians.

There are many that argue Tyler Perry’s movies paint a positive and progressive picture of middle class African Americans and that the seven principals can be seen in his movies. One example is the large number of Perry’s characters that have successful careers, exemplifying the cooperative economics. However, others argue that Perry’s characters are materialistic and status obsessed, and do not follow other principals like unity and faith.

The problem with Black America?

What does Bob Herbert describe as the problem with Black America? In his own words, “There's a crisis in the black community, and it won't do to place all of the blame on society and government.” Bob Hebert's controversial 2005 New York Times editorial, "A NewCivil Rights Movement"  deserves another look, as 10 years later the "Black Lives Matter" movement revealed the haunting and lingering racism in America. It has been 5 decades since Martin Luther King Jr gave his rousing I have a dream speech. Who in America is responsible for making that dream happen?

According to Herbert the issues lie within the black community, whilst Martin Luther King Jr sees  America’s society and government as both the key issue and solution. While Herbert makes a persuasive argument, changes do need to happen in the black community, Martin Luther King Jr argued that changes must be made on a bigger scope. Americans of all heritage need to strive for the freedom of the American ideal.