Black men often take on paternal roles to mentor younger generations, known as “otherfathering”.

A new study published in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development has revealed a concept called "otherfathering" which has been observed in Black men in leadership roles, such as mentors, coaches, and more. To gain a better understanding of this concept, the study interviewed eight individuals from mentorship programs led by Black men.

The individuals discussed their roles, which ranged from providing educational and employment support to offering general advice. One man described it as “sometimes it’s just as simple as, ‘Mr. A … can you write me a letter of recommendation for the National Honor Society?’ And then sometimes it’s just at the corner store and a young man walks in and [says], ‘Hey can you give me some life knowledge?’”

Despite their satisfaction with their roles, the study also highlighted some of the difficulties they faced, such as a lack of financial support. Associate Professor of Counseling at Montclair State University and lead author of the study, Michael Hannon, spoke about the discovery, saying “The Black men represented in this study who act as otherfathers in their communities are proud to do it and doing so gives them a sense of purpose. But they acknowledge that doing so is challenging, due to their desire to provide in ways that are feasible or sustainable. That can lead to feelings of guilt, frustration, and stress.”

The research also showed that otherfathering does yield significant benefits psychologically. Hannon and his colleagues hope to use this research to establish a better understanding of otherfathering and the burdens it can produce. To do so, they have suggested conducting follow-up research involving a more expansive list of participants and hiring counselors to challenge preconceived notions about Black men.

Overall, this study is an important step in understanding the concept of otherfathering and its effects on the mental health and wellbeing of Black men. With further research and adjustments, it can help shed light on the challenges and rewards of this role.

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