black families Essay example - 1412 Words

Family is a basic unit in every society. However, the makeup of a family is more complex to define. There are so many types of families that it is impossible to have one distinct definition in trying to explain how a true family is defined. For example, there are married couples with or without children, single-parent families, and even families headed by gay men or lesbians. These may not have been considered families not too long ago, but now must be recognized because we live in such a diverse society. What I want to focus on is the African-American family, in terms of what they had to go through before, during, and after slavery. As well as, where they are now and where it’s going in the future. When Africans were brought to†¦show more content†¦Extended Family As I stated before the extended family has played an important role in African-American families throughout history. Extended family is made up of the family that is outside of your immediate nuclear family, your uncles, aunts, grandparents and/or cousins. I don’t come from a nuclear family, instead I’m from a single-parent family, so my mom usually depended on some members of our extended family to help ‘get by’. Even now, I’m living with my grandparents, so my extended family has always played an important role, at least to this point, in my life. The extended family is sometimes used as an economic unit. African American families are especially known for this type of households. It allows the family to use resources and exchange goods and services, and other things that probably wouldn’t possible if they were on their own (Dickerson, 1995). This type of living arrangement goes back to West African cultures. For example, in the Ashanti tribe young women remained in their family compound because the mothers weren’t believed to be able to manage on their on. So they stayed and received help from the older women in the tribe and other young mothers to help care for the children (Dickerson, 1995). An extended family gives children someone other than their mother or father to relate to (Staples, 1994). It can be viewed as a special friendship that isn’t shared with either of the parents. As effective and helping as the extended family has been, itsShow MoreRelatedSocioeconomic Status Of Black Families1601 Words   |  7 Pagesprotests, and brutal battles by black leaders against whites for equality, justice, and a fair chance at a better life. It is safe to say that in the past, blacks were not allowed to progress or have a mind of their own. In comparison to the past, the educational sector for minorities still remains as an extreme societal challenge. For many years, African Americans have been denied educational advancement opportunities. The higher education area suffers greatly for the black population but very few peopleRead MoreWhat Does It Mean? A Black Family?971 Words   |  4 Pages What does it mean to be a black family? In todays society a typical black family would be described as a single parent home, drug and/or alcohol abuse, or being on welfare (Stereotypes of African Americans). However, not all black families are structured as such. I believe e very black family is different. For instance, my mom’s family, the Turners, have different values, beliefs, traditions, and patterns than my dad’s family, the Jeffries. Values The Turner and Jeffries have similar yet differentRead MoreBlack Families During Slavery And The Role Black Women1224 Words   |  5 PagesMarissa Brown Professor S. Hoffman African Americans During Slavery 5 December 2014 Black Families During Slavery and the Role Black Women Played In 1619, when slavery first began it was clear early on that it wouldn’t be a positive experience for its victims. The victims, typically people of African American decent, were not afforded any rights as human beings. They were excluded from the political system (not allowed to hold offices or vote); they were excluded from holding jobs of quality andRead More Is the Black Family Only A Myth? Essay4088 Words   |  17 PagesIs the Black Family Only A Myth? My objective for writing this essay on the black family was to examine and interrogate a myriad of stereotypes surrounding this family structure. Slavery and its inception need to be explored because it enables one to acquire a better understanding of the modern day black family. It is my hope that once we achieve this level of understanding, if not acceptance, that we may be able to start the healing process that is so necessary. THE MOYNIHAN REPORT. SINGLERead More2567 : The Family Of The Black Hummingbird Society1322 Words   |  6 PagesTraditional at first look, but post-modern after observing a small black smudge in each flower. Closer inspection and perhaps a pair of bifocals later would reveal a grinning skull. Not human pray tell, but rather avian in nature. â€Å"It is my pleasure to meet Mr. Marcus Lucius of the Black Hummingbird Society,† 2567 remarked as he took the seat opposite of me, facing north. â€Å"And it is my fortunate nature to meet Rogue Agent 2567 of the Black Widow Alliance at this timely hour.† â€Å"Mr. Lucius holds much insightRead MoreThe Role Of Family, Religion, And Family Shape The Experiences Of Young Black Men892 Words   |  4 PagesOster, A. M., Viall, A. H., Heffelfinger, J. D., Mena, L. A., Toledo, C. A. (2012). Role flexing: How community, religion, and family shape the experiences of young black men who have sex with men. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 26(12), 73-737. This journal article explores the role that family, religion and the African American community plays on the experiences of young black men who have sex with other men through in-depth interviews. Interviews were conducted from sixteen participants. Seven participantsRead MoreAbc s Television Series About The Black Experience Of Andre Johnson And His Family907 Words   |  4 PagesABC’s Blackish is a brilliant television series about the Black experience of Andre Johnson and his family. It’s very successful at casually challenging and addressing various ideologies that exist in the United States. Ideology is defined as â€Å"†¦a system of meaning that helps define and explain the world and that makes value judgements about that world,† (Croteau Hoynes, 2014). Just as Blackish challenges certain ideologies, it also, intentionally or unintentionally, promotes other ideologies. Read More Strengths of Black Families Essay698 Words   |  3 Pages Strengths of Black Families   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The African-American family is defined as networks of households related by blood, marriage, or function that provide basic instrumental and expressive functions of the family to the members of those networks (Hill, 1999). It is one of the strongest institutions throughout history, and still today. Family strengths are considered to be cultural assets that are transmitted through socialization from generation to generation and not merely adaptations or copingRead MoreBlack Lesbian And Gay Families7002 Words   |  29 Pagesmarriage for Black families. This article will discuss the available research on Black lesbian and gay families, highlighting both the strengths and challenges these families negotiate. Focusing on the resources Black lesbian and gay families provide to the Black community, such as foster parenting and adopting Black children, mentoring runaway and throwaway Black youth and leadership on Black social justice issues, this article will demonstrat e the value of Black lesbian gay families towards theRead MoreThe Effects of Slavery on the Black Family Essay1708 Words   |  7 Pagesreverberating in today’s world. The African American family can be wrongly judged in everyday life because the history behind slavery in the black family is not fully understood. People criticize the black family and criticize us, but its outsiders who imposed from the time of slavery this notion of the non-existence of black family, that the ties werent there. That kind of attitude is something that has helped shaped the way people view the black and unfortunately the way we see ourselves. Because