This important volume takes a life course approach in sharing empirical insights on the family experiences of African American males in socioeconomic and political contexts. Representing fields ranging from developmental psychology to public health and sociology to education, chapters identify challenges facing black men and boys in the U.S., as well as family and community sources of support and resilience. Survey findings and exemplar case studies illustrate stressors and risk factors uniquely affecting African American communities, and tailored prevention and intervention strategies are described at the personal, family, and societal levels. These interdisciplinary perspectives not only encourage additional research, but inspire the continued development of appropriate interventions, relevant practice, and equitable policy. Included in the coverage: • The adjustment and development of African American males: Conceptual frameworks and emerging research opportunities. • A trauma-informed approach to affirming the humanity of African American boys and supporting healthy transitions to manhood. • Humanizing developmental science to promote positive development of young men of color. • Families, prisoner reentry, and reintegration. • Safe spaces for vulnerability: New perspectives on African Americans who struggle to be good fathers. • They can’t breathe: Why neighborhoods matter for the health of African American men and boys. Promoting diversity in the research agenda to reflect a diverse population, Boys and Men in African American Families is an invaluable reference for research professionals particularly interested in sociology, public policy, anthropology, urban and rural studies, and African American studies. Survey and ethnographic studies of poverty, inequality, family processes, and child, adolescent, and adult health and development are featured.

The authors, two noted psychologists who are parents themselves, provide simple yet effective strategies for problem-solving, improving communication, and instilling a positive racial identity in African-American boys.

African American families have demonstrated their strengths and survival skills through many generations, from slavery to the present time. As the African American middle class has grown over the last two decades, so have their numbers among elected officials and in business. Despite this, African Americans are experiencing extreme stress, but African American males appear to suffer the most. The disproportionate share of African American male inmates in the United States, the high homicidal rate, the astronomical rise and spread of the AIDS virus, and the continuing growth of drug abuse, all suggest that the African American male may be becoming an endangered species. In order to save the African American family. the structural and environmental conditions that give rise to these negative conditions must be studied. The chapters in this volume address some of the pressing issues affecting African American men. Chapters and contributors include: "Reaffirming Young African American Males: Mentoring and Community Involvement by Fraternities and Other Groups" by Dionne J. Jones. Victor E. Bibbins, and Ronald D. Henderson; "Health Status of African American Men" by Lawrence E. Gary; "Urban Adolescent Homicidal Violence: An Emerging Public Health Concern" by Ronald K. Barrett; and "Pastoral Counseling with African American Men" by Edward P. Wimberly. African American Males affirms that this segment of the population is a precious resource, and as such, they must be nurtured throughout their lives. The current situation makes for structural unbalance in American society as a whole, no less than within African American communities as such. This book will be of interest to sociologists, psychologists, and black studies specialists.

Stewart's analysis of the African American father and husband is a significant contribution to the family literature in general and the Black family literature in specific. Curricula on family theory and research in colleges and universities will find the book resourceful and informative, says Professor Schiele in the Foreword. It presents an extensive literature review on family studies and a well constructed theoretical framework. In addition, Stewart's command of research concepts and his use of advance statistical procedures provide an excellent example of how research and quantitative methods can be applied to address critical issues in African American family life. Lastly, Stewart's insightful pragmatic recommendations will be of great assistance to social service and public policy professionals in developing more appropriate services and policies that affect African American fathers and husbands.Although this book can be especially useful for those in social science related disciplines, it also has appeal for the non-social scientist. Because of the lack of information on the role of African American men in African American families, this book can serve to familiarize the nonsocial scientist with many of the historical and contemporary issues affecting African American families. The major contribution of this book, however, is that it advances this society's knowledge of African American families by acknowledging the centrality of an often neglected piece of the African American family puzzle: the Black father and husband.

The author examines the trends effecting negative changes on the African American male and responds with solutions. Sold in excess of 500,000 copies, a Third World Press best seller.