The Strengths of Black Families [A National Urban League Research Study]

Emerson Hall Publishers, Inc, 1972. Paperback. Collectible: Very Good. Signed and inscribed by author, 1st Edition / 1st Printing (stated). No marks in text. Light wear and small crease on cover. Binding is tight and square. Previous owners name and info on half-title page. Small stain at top edge of front cover that does not affect any pages. . . . . . . TABLE OF CONTENTS: * Preface by Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. -- * Foreword by Andrew Billingsley -- * Introduction ------ * PART I: STRONG KINSHIP BONDS: 1.1) Absorption of Individuals, Minors and the Elderly -- 1.2) Absorption of Families -- 1.3) Informal Adoption ------ * PART II: STRONG WORK ORIENTATION: 2.1) Attitudes Toward Work -- 2.2) Double Earners ------ * PART III: ADAPTABILITY OF FAMILY ROLES: 3.1) Equalitarian Family Patterns -- 3.2) One Parent Families -- 3.3) Desertion -- 3.4) Suicide Rates ------ * PART III: HIGH ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATION ------ * PART III: RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION ------ * PART III: SUMMARY ------ * Tables -- * Footnotes -- * Bibliography . . . . . . . This report identifies and analyzes five strengths of black families: adaptability roles, strong kinship bonds, strong work orientation, strong religious orientation, and achievement orientation. These five characteristics have been functional for the survival, advancement, and stability of black families. Most discussions of black families tend to focus on indicators of instability and weakness. This preoccupation with pathology in most research on black families has obscured some fruitful avenues of investigation. It is here contended that examining the strengths of black families can contribute as much towards understanding and ameliorating social problems as examining their weaknesses. If, as most scholars agree, there is a need to strengthen black families, then a first-order priority should be the identification of presently-existing strengths and resources. The National Urban League recognized this need three years ago when it issued a position statement on black families based on the work of Dr. Andrew Billingsley. Among the major findings from this report is that, contrary to the widespread belief in a "matriarchy" among blacks, most black families, whether low-income or not, are characterized by an equalitarian pattern in which neither spouse dominates, but shares decision-making and the performance of expected tasks.