A exploratory study of the parental attitudes of black fathers, 1992

The overall objective of this study was to examine the roles of Black fathers. The focus is centered on their attitudes and behaviors. The following constructs were addressed: (a) belief in physical punishment, (b) role reversal, (c) inappropriate parental expectations and (d) lack of empathy for the child. A descriptive or quasi-experimental research design was used in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was given to a sample of two hundred seventy five Black men after it was ascertained that they were fathers. Participants in this study (N = 78), were surveyed using the Adolescent-Adult Parenting Index. The results of the survey were analyzed using a descriptive statistical method which tabulated the percentages and frequencies of responses to the four constructs being measured. The results showed that the fathers had a strong belief in physical punishment as a method of instilling discipline and asserting parental authority, however the results also showed that the respondents had appropriate expectations of their children at the particular stage of development, that the fathers expressed empathy for their children, and that the fathers did not demonstrate role reversal and expect the children to be responsible for their happiness and expect them to be the primary caretakers for their parents