The Absent Black Father is important since fathers are critical to maintaining stability within a traditional family structure. According to (Rosenberg et al., 2006) [1], children growing up without a father are at greater risks for partaking in high activities like illegal drug usage, high alcohol consumption, greater emotional problems, and engagement in other illegal activities. The article highlights the importance of Absent Black fathers and young African American males and the need for a biological father figure to be present in the home. Using data gathered from a mixed methods research approach, I incorporated peer reviewed articles and professional books to outline a brief history of the absent Black father and young African American males. The paper follows the Headings, Abstracts, Introduction, Literature Review: Role of the Black Father, Design and Methodology, Literature Review: The Role of Black Fathers, and Did Public Schools and Progressive Women Groups Fight against Fatherhood? The Isolated Black Male, Synthesis of Data, and Conclusion.
Cite this paper
Ross, G. (2026). The Absent Black Father and Some Implications for the Young African American Male. Open Access Library Journal, 13, e15062. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1115062.
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