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.