Breaking the Stereotypes Surrounding Black Fatherhood

By Heather Martyn -- 11/23/08 Black feminist perspectives on fatherhood and black masculinity was the topic of discussion for the panel titled, "Papa was a Rolling Stone: Exploring the Contradictions, Connections, and Contemporary Realities Surrounding Black Fatherhood."  According to the panelists, African American fathers have often been described historically as irresponsible, immature, and not present in the lives of their children; however, they sought to respond to this dark perception of black fatherhood.

"We don't hear about those fathers who have active, engaged, meaningful roles in their lives," stated Katrina E. Bell-Jordan of Northeastern Illinois University. "I took more of an inductive look at the issues black women face in theorizing and discussing black masculinity and fatherhood."

The nature of black motherhood, the stereotypes of black masculinity, and the co-authorship of the black mother's voice in creation of black masculinity and fatherhood was topic of discussion for Bell-Jordan's paper titled "Black Women's Voices in the Discourse on Black Masculinity and Fatherhood: A Feminist Perspective."

"Black women co-author the discourse when they don't have a male figure in the lives of their sons and this can sometimes be problematic," she said.  According to Bell-Jordan, this can prove to be problematic because it endorses super-patriarchal mindsets, which then sustains a patriarchal culture in the black community 

Diverse roles of black males in the community were discussed under the terms of generative and social fathering.  These forms of fathering have historically been a part of black fatherhood and can span generations.

"The fundamental task of black males in the community to be there, whether they are the biological father or not," said Bell-Jordan.