The Cycle of Fatherlessness: The New face of Absentee fathers

By Paul Brett_______

Historically, in the vernacular of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work African-American (or black) fathers are pigeon-holed as being “absent”, “irresponsible”, “unmarried”, “physically and emotionally abusive”, “missing”, “promiscuous” and “emotionally inaccessible”.  Indeed, it is believed by many thinkers that these characteristics run the full gamut of the black diaspora.

Against the foregoing background, there is no doubt that whenever one thinks of “the cycle of fatherlessness” or “absentee fathers” black men automatically pop up readily in people’s minds like a Jack in the box toy. Many urban scientists argue that throughout the years the media have resorted to tarnishing black men’s image as an upgrade to lynching. As a result, this subliminal tactic concretizes an indelible mark in the psyche of the American people that continues to permeate stereotypes.  The fact is the cycle of fatherlessness could well have transcended race, color and socio-economic backgrounds but in the United States per se, the statistics reinforce a stark reality.

According to a 2010 statistical report by the Annie E. Case Foundation, a non-profit agency in Maryland that helps families and children succeed, African-American (or black) families have the highest rate of children in single-parent households run by mothers. The foundation reveals that in terms of statistics Asian and Pacific Islander (16%); non-Hispanic or white (24%); Hispanic or Latino (41%); American Indian (52%) and African-American (66%). The foundation noted that Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana and Maryland are among the states with the highest rates of households with children in fatherless households.

From another vantage point, the statistics provided by the Victory for Troubled Youth, a religious ministry run by Ralph and Sandy Stokes in Millbrook, Alabama, 85% of children in the juvenile prisons are raised in fatherless homes. The couple who has been visiting juvenile detention prisons across the United States for 20 years to help many troubled youths overcome their emotional problems stressed that the statistics on their website reflect a growing social problem in America which transcends racial backgrounds.

In a recent interview, Mr. Stokes was mater-of-fact in pointing out that “the problem of fatherlessness is not confined to any particular race as sadly the social problem continues to grow beyond racial and socio-economic class in America.”  

According to data published on his website 63% of teen suicides come from fatherless homes; 70% of juveniles from fatherless homes are in some kind of state prison; 71% of teen pregnancies are from fatherless households; 71% of youngsters become high school drop outs and 90% of teens who runaway are and become homeless are from fatherless homes.

“The result of fatherlessness in the homes affect kids in tremendous ways,” noted Mr. stokes. “Children become very angry for reasons they themselves don’t even know. Many feel guilty about the reality of their situation. Some feel guilty about the reason why their fathers abandoned them and punish themselves for those imaginary reasons why their fathers left.”

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