Fatherhood in America

Joseph H. Pleck’s article, “American Fathering in Historical Perspective” talks about the role of fatherhood. He states, “The father was viewed as a moral pedagogue who must instruct children of both sexes what God as well as the world required of them (pg.352).” Pleck then explains how fatherhood is a ‘duty’. “Notions of the ‘duty’ of fathers to their children, and of children of their fathers, were central to the father-child relationship (pg. 352).” Pleck also mentions the strong connections fathers have with their children emotionally. In the nineteenth and twenty century the father’s role began to shift. “A gradual and steady shift toward a greater role for the mother, and a decreased and more indirect role for the father is clear and unmistakable (pg. 353).”
“Today, the critique of the distant father-breadwinner is intensifying further (pg. 359).” I agree with this statement. From what I have experience and seen growing up, fathers are expected to provide for their family as well as have an active role in their children’s lives. My father run’s his own business and still managed to make every sporting event that my brother and I had. I think this kind of effort is expected out of every father in today’s society.
Francine Deutsh’s article has a discussion with blue collar couples with children who have decided to ‘alternate shifts’ at work. This decision comes about because they need more money to provide for their family because the types of jobs they occupy do not provide enough money to cover all the expenses of a family. For example, men are typically construction workers, firemen, police officers, or delivery men. Their wives are typically nurses or retail clerks (pg. 115). One of the examples Deutsh uses is a construction worker named Stan and who connected with the term ‘Mr. Mom’. Stan says he never thought he would have the type of role he has with his family but is glad he can do what he can for his family. If I were in the situation where my husband and I needed to decide upon working alternating shifts, I would do it. It would be difficult but it would be a way to give our family a better life because we would have more money coming as opposed to just one of us working and each of us would be spending a lot of time with our children and would be able to create good relationships with our children.
Dorothy Roberts article touched upon the Black culture and the family. “The female-headed household – not the nuclear family – is the dominant family arrangements for Blacks (pg.146).” She then goes onto say, “The Black family, moreover, has long served as the scapegoat for the Black community plight for many of America’s ills (pg.147).” In terms of societal forces as well as adding to the myth of the absent black father, Roberts points to chronic poverty and imprisonment. Roberts explains that it may seem that children in Black families are fatherless because it is not that their fathers are not around but are trying to improve life. It is a stereotype I think is hard to break but when looking at the Black culture today, many Black men are beginning to take over the households. More Black men are becoming doctors and lawyers and are able to provide a life for their family that was once not possible. They are also more involved with their kids. I believe the myth of the absent Black father will one day disappear.