Black Fathers As Key Change Agents: A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Violence Prevention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Background and Purpose: Youth violence (YV) is a significant public health concern that can have lasting physical, psychological, behavioral, and social consequences, often resulting in injuries, disabilities, and premature mortality. YV is the physical force or power used by individuals aged 10 to 24 to intentionally harm or threaten others and encompasses a range of behaviors (i.e., bullying, fighting, teen dating violence, etc.), as well as more serious acts of violence (i.e., threats with a weapon, suicidality, and homicide). Research indicates that youth from racial-ethnic minority backgrounds, especially Black youth, disproportionately experience violence and its associated outcomes. Moreover, Louisiana has one of the highest rates of violence in the US, with its capital city, Baton Rouge (BR), witnessing a notable and ongoing increase in incidents of YV. Black fathers and father figures have played a unique yet critical role in nonviolently mitigating community violence, continue to serve as pivotal change agents in protecting youth from involvement in violent activities, and have recently responded to the urgent call to combat YV in Louisiana. While limited research connects Black fathers' history of violence and YV prevention efforts to their children's experiences with violence and their perceptions regarding the benefits of addressing YV, less is known about their specific prevention strategies, responses to youth violence involvement, and especially the facilitators and barriers shaping their efforts.

Methods: Twelve Black fathers residing in BR were recruited using non-probability sampling, including purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, from local community establishments/recreational centers (e.g., parks, barbershops, etc.) between April and June 2022 to participate in a one-time, 90-minute, semi-structured Zoom interview. Fathers were compensated with a $25 gift card for their participation. This qualitative study explored two aims: (1) fathers' prevention strategies and responses to YV and (2) facilitators and barriers to preventing YV. Data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase approach to conducting a thematic analysis.

Results: The five major themes addressing aim one were (1) tangible (e.g., having meaningful conversations) and intangible (e.g., teaching conflict resolution skills) prevention methods, (2) parenting (e.g., supervision, communication), (3) enrollment in extracurricular activities/programming, (4) training/preparation (e.g., educational), and critique of perpetrator, with a sub-theme of responses to their children’s experiences with violence. For the second aim, three major themes emerge: (1) mentoring and role modeling, (2) lack of funding (e.g., local/state), and (3) lack of personal time.

Conclusion/Implications: Findings indicate various strategies were used by Black fathers, sometimes in conjunction with each other, to prevent YV both among their children and within the broader youth community. Moreover, fathers highlighted the need for other men to serve as key change agents and role models for youth and investments from community stakeholders as key facilitators in YV prevention. However, barriers such as a lack of funding and time posed challenges to continuing their efforts to combat YV. Given the essential role of Black fathers, future research, programming, and policy strategies aimed at preventing youth violence must prioritize the viewpoints and practices of these individuals.