Legal Advice and Resources

Raising Black Children by Single Parents

For past years, being a single parent was not looked upon favorably. Back then, divorce rates were suprisingly low and not common. Therefore being a single parent or guardian raising African American children was rare and therefore described as a ‘broken home’, with one of the parents missing. Nowadays, divorce has taken a wholedifferent meaning, and it’s no longer such a scar in the family home as much as it was decades ago. These days being a single parent to some, is something that must be done. Yet both consenting parents are in agreement that the child and family may be happier in a single parent home. For generations, African Americans have been raised and brought up in single parent families.

Some time ago, but much less these days, parenting black youth in single parent homes, usually by mothers was normal. You will find a few reasons for this, not taking into account a divorce. One major factor is the crime and death rate in African American men. One more factor that has risen is the absenteeism of the father due to being incarcerated for long periods of time, or often. With the men missing, this left the mother to care for and be the male figure for their child( ren). However, within the last few years, there have been a shift. Now, it seems single fathers are beginning to step up to their responsibility of taking care of their offspring. With this shift, it has allowed both parents to take part of child raising together. So although the parents are no longer together, they are taking care of their child(ren) together as best they can. This is one way that the black community is closing the gap of having so many single parents without the other parent involved in the home. Although these children are not within wedlock, effort is being made by the parents to still be there for the kids. This is now becoming widely accepted in society.

For those moms who are parenting black children on their own there are many issues that should be considered. One major concern is finances. This can put a burden on the mother if she is the only provider. She has to work to pay the housing and living bills, and if the child is under 5 or 6, then child care costs come into play. But to have money to pay for child care, one has to work. It is almost like a catch 22. If the child is school aged then it can be a bit better depending on the schedule of the parent. If all else fails a relative or close friend may have to play baby sitter. All in all, this falls mostly on the single parent. For they have to provide a shelter to live.