Be a Father to Your Child: Family, Love, and Manhood as Told from the Hearts of Black Men

How do young black fathers relate to their children, as well as to their own fathers? How do they see _x0097_ and play _x0097_ their roles in both family and community? These are some of the big questions this timely, accessible book addresses. Written by both popular commentators and those who have experienced the issues firsthand, Be a Father to Your Child begins with a frank discussion of how family formation has changed since the 1960s, especially for communities of color. Individual selections then flesh out historical, sociological, and cultural contexts, examining the impact of welfare, child support, criminal justice, and employment policies on young men of color. In addition to this analytical material, the book presents more personal, anecdotal pieces _x0097_ including poems and lyrics, short stories, and interviews _x0097_ that form a powerful composite portrait of the challenges facing modern communities of color, and how to overcome them.