It should be obvious that all children are likely to be more healthy when raised in a home that is, first and foremost, loving. Homes where there are loving male and female caregivers undoubtedly offer children a positive environment. Yet none of the discussion about the harmful effects of absent black male fathers has centralized love. Instead, patriarchal thinking implies that simply by being present, black fathers ensure that black children will have healthy self-esteem and self-love. This is simply not true. A domineering and/or violently abusive father who is present will not be creating
...more
