Although research can perhaps identify problems black fathers' face in divorce situations,

Question

what can be done about these problems? Describe the conceptual steps that need to be
taken to build black family strengths.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Lawson and Thompson concluded that black divorced fathers had some unique problems in
coping with their separation situation, and proposed some specific remedies to address the
problems. The primary recommendations were directed to the concern about the high
levels of marital instability and the plight of the next generation of black men (or black
male adolescents). They noted that black youth may be being socialized into a "culture of
pathology" that affects self-image and affects the internal resources young black men have
to cope with their status in mainstream society. Most of these problems (according to
Lawson and Thompson) can be traced to the problem of providing the physical (financial)
and social resources to cope with their particular black environment – the problem of
decreasing economic marginality, establishing self-identity as a masculine black person,
and coping with the black heritage in attempting to live in a broader culture. Measures
might include premarital counseling for black couples to better equip them to cope with the
future problems they will face in the relationship and life, programs to deal with the
personal pathologies the persons have in entering the marital relationship, providing
support groups for new husbands and wives to help them understand and cope with the
problems they encounter in their marriage, and finally, society enabling the economic
means for new families to provide for themselves. Black families have clearly proved their
ability to cope with adversity, and their inner strengths, but they also face unique problems
to deal with as well. Our society would do well to help build family strengths in black
families, the same all families in America.