June 16th 2024.
For many years, society has held a belief that Black fathers are not actively involved in their children's lives. This belief is ironic because in 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two reports that showed conflicting information. One report showed that Black fathers are present and engaged with their children, while the other report portrayed them as less likely to be married compared to other men. Despite efforts to clarify and provide context to these reports, they continue to be brought up every Father's Day.
In 2015, New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow wrote about the statistic from the CDC report, which stated that around 72% of Black children in 2013 were born out of wedlock, compared to only 29% of white children. He wanted to correct the narrative that this statistic perpetuated. Blow pointed out that while it may be true that Black parents are less likely to marry before having a child, it does not mean that Black fathers are neglectful. In fact, according to another CDC report from December 2013, Black fathers were found to be the most involved with their children on a daily basis, even among those who did not live with their children.
This study revealed that Black fathers who live with their children are more likely to take care of daily tasks such as bathing, changing, and dressing their children, sharing meals with them, and helping with homework. It is clear that while the statistic of 72% may be concerning, it is influenced by societal factors and does not accurately represent Black fathers as a whole.
In 2016, Vox expanded on Blow's column and the broader social context that contributes to the stereotype of Black fathers being absent. This includes the system of mass incarceration, which disproportionately affects Black men and separates them from their families. Vox stressed that this stereotype is not the full picture and debunked the racist notion that Black fathers are lazy or uncommitted. These stereotypes are often used to justify the systemic oppression of Black men.
In 2021, Oprah Winfrey co-hosted a special Father's Day television program with actor Sterling K. Brown called "Honoring Our Kings: Celebrating Black Fatherhood." Winfrey shared with People Magazine that the idea for the show stemmed from a topic she previously explored on her talk show. She wanted to challenge the narrative that Black fathers are not present in their children's lives.
Winfrey recalled a moment on her talk show when a woman in the audience remarked that she had never seen a Black father reading to his children. This reflected the lack of representation of positive images of Black fathers in the media. Winfrey believes that this perpetuates harmful stereotypes and chips away at the fabric of society. She also shared her own experience of seeing hardworking Black fathers in her father's barbershop, who were doing everything they could to support their families.
Winfrey emphasized that the narrative of the absentee father is not accurate and does not represent the Black fathers she knows. Instead of focusing on outdated and conflicting data, we should follow Winfrey's lead and highlight the Black fathers who are actively involved in their children's lives. As Father's Day approaches, let us celebrate and appreciate these fathers who are doing the important work of fatherhood.
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