African and African American Families, Couples, and Religions

Kinship Bonds Strong kinship bonds traceable to Africa Tribes shared “commonalities” that were broader than bloodlines “We are, therefore I am” Kinship network has been a critical resource for African Americans Need to cope with the pressures of an oppressive society Fairly common for children to be informally adopted by a grandparents or other extended family member Young adults rely on the extended kin network’s support to achieve college education and transition into adulthood and the work world Implications for Therapists Should ask who is in the family, who lives in the home, and what family members and significant others live elsewhere. Whom can you depend on for help when needed? Genogram- to gather information about relationships and the roles of family members

Gender Roles African American Men Some live in the home and are very active in child-rearing Some live in the home but are not prominent in their children’s lives Some are involved but live outside the home High rate of unemployment has influenced African American men and women to marry and to assume central role in the live of their children Identity is linked to their ability to provide for their families Constantly challenged with negative stereotypes including the notion that they are absent or not prominent in their children’s lives African American Women More actively religious Regarded as the “strength of the family” More easily employed Historically have worked outside the home as the sole wage earners in times of high unemployment

Couple Relationships African American males have a much lower life expectancy than African American women or Whites of either sex Because of this the gender ratio is skewed The availability of African American men is affected by incarceration, mental and physical disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse, deaths on jobs, and many kinds of violence African American women are often left with the choice of marrying less educated, lower status men or remaining single Because gender ratio is so skewed African American women may not be successful in finding a partner, maintaining a relationship, or remarrying African American couples Often experience relationship stress because of the added burden of racism

Implications for Therapists Many African American men are reluctant to enter therapy because they associate it with distrusted mainstream organizations Explore signs of ambivalence and respond with creativity, sensitivity, and flexibility Fathers may be more willing to attend when sessions are scheduled to accommodate their work schedule Recognizing the father’s role can help decrease sabotaging the therapeutic process African American women usually initiate the therapy process Therapists are often surprised and frustrated when women express dissatisfaction toward their relationship yet they reject ending the relationship Absence of hope that they can find a more rewarding relationship Anxiety about surviving financially on their own Concerned about joining society in “beating their men further down”

Parent-Child Systems Some children are “parentified” Parents work or there are too many children in the home Parents may consciously decide to have a child assume or assist with parental responsibilities or the child may tale on responsibilities These children may be more likely to act out in school, and display more sexual impulsiveness Implications for therapists Goal should not be to eliminate a child’s parental role, which may be essential to a family’s survival Redistribute the child’s burdens by helping the family utilize their resources Parents must also ensure that responsibilities of the parental child do not interfere with the child’s developmental needs

The Three-Generation System The role of the grandmother is often central in African American families The three-generation system as well as other forms of the extended family system can be a great source of strength and support These three-generation systems may also present sensitive boundary issues The Gallop Family The case illustrated the importance of working with subsytems in African American families

Religion and Spirituality Slavery Era A strong spiritual orientation was a major aspect of life for Blacks in Africa and in the United States during slavery Highly emotional religious services were of great importance in dealing with oppression Sometimes services contained signals about time and place of an escape which were transmitted through sermons and music Spirituals contained hidden messages and a language of resistance (“Wade in the Water” and “The Gospel Train’s A’Comin’(“Wade in the Water” “The Gospel Train’s A’Comin’ African American community Belong to many different religious groups Baptists, Roman Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Pentecostal churches, and numerous Islamic sects

Religion and Spirituality Cont’d Largest religious affiliation is Baptist African American family finds a complete support system Many churches also include social activities Special groups for youth, young adults, single parents, men, women, and couples Choirs, Sunday school, Bible study, and various ministries (working with homeless people, foster children) Organize health promotion classes, day-care centers, health fairs, economic development initiatives, tutoring programs, and support groups (for unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, grief) Provides a network of people who are available to a family in times of crisis Implications for therapists Some clients may “spiritualize” problems by defining difficulties as “God’s will” Work within the confines of a family’s belief system rather than attempt to modify them