Young African-American Fathers' Perspectives on Obstacles and Solutions to Economic Stability
Historically, the role of the father as “breadwinner” has been important because of its links to couple relationship satisfaction and family stability. Today, even with nearly 60% of women working, the role of the father as provider remains an imbedded cultural norm as well as a protective factor. Research on parenting relationships in fragile families highlights this: While a strong link exists between parents’ economic resources and relationship stability, the strongest predictor is that of the father’s economic resources. Also, among nonresidential fathers, those that are employed are far more likely to be engaged with their children than those who are unemployed (McLanahan & Beck, 2010). Although these findings underscore the importance of paternal earnings and economic resources for both the couple and parent-child relationship, there is little in the literature about the needs and perspectives of fathers themselves, especially African-American fathers. The result is that negative stereotypes may persist and solutions and policies are not informed by those most likely to be affected.
Methods
Five focus groups were conducted with men and women in the final year of an intervention study that enrolled 726 low-income, expecting and new parents into a relationship strengthening program. Parents had previously received an intervention focused on communication skills and received family-care wrap-around supports. While beneficial effects were found on relationship outcome variables, parents continued to experience chronic economic hardships. The aim of the focus groups was to better understand these hardships and to inform a follow-up intervention. Separate focus groups were conducted by gender and race/ethnicity including two groups (N=15) with African American fathers only. Seven questions during 90-minute groups centered on: 1) the impact of income insecurity; 2) perceived income and employment barriers, and 3) ideas on possible remedies. A thematic analysis was employed using a question-by-question approach with themes compared by race and gender (Casey & Krueger, 2005).
Results
The African-American fathers conveyed a strong commitment to their families but also high levels of stress caused by an inability to provide enough financial support. A consistent theme was frustration and a sense of inadequacy, e.g., “a real man is going to provide for his family” as well as increased conflict with their partner about money. Barriers to employment were identified as: poor economic conditions; prior criminal justice involvement (often for minor infractions) and lack of benefits such as job training that have benefited women. Remedies were identified as: accessible mechanisms to expunge records, entrepreneurial assistance in starting their own business, furthering their education through certificate programs and more financial education around credit cards, insurance, and home ownership.
Implications
To be effective, efforts to strengthen the economic stability of African American families should be tailored to the different needs of fathers and mothers with the intent of providing services that meet fathers’ expressed interests. Programs should be comprehensive in nature, focusing on enhancing both relational assets and also human capital assets in the form of supporting education and employment aspirations and strong entrepreneurial desires.