Child Rearing and Education in Urban Environments

In this article, the authors use in-depth interviews of African American fathers in an urban setting to explore their fathering attitudes and behaviors. From the qualitative data, four general themes emerge: paternal beliefs and modes of functioning, strength and resiliency, racial socialization of children, and fathers as teachers in the home. The findings lend support to the burgeoning reconceptualization of the role of the Black father in urban America. The self-descriptions of African American fathers provide evidence that urban African American fathers are important, vital, and active forces in their children's achievement development.