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Sunday, August 17, 2014

What Are The Best Ways To Parent Black Boys?

There has been lots of buzz surrounding the documentary, “American Promise.” Authors, Joe Brewster and Michele Stevenson asked Philadelphia author Hilary Beard to help them research and co-write a companion book.

The outcome of this collaboration is “Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life,” The book was the primary focus of discussion recently during a talk at Friends’ Central School in Philadelphia.

Beard spent time addressing the ongoing achievement gap issues while also debunking some long-held misconceptions, including statistics that show there are more black males in college than in prison and more black children in gifted & talented programs than in special education.

The auditorium at the school was brimming with eager parents, students, and educators as Beard pulled from solid research and scores of interviews to highlight “what works” in parenting and educating black boys. They were pleased and encouraged by what she had to impart.

During the discussion, most of the talk turned to parenting styles and strategies that have been proven most effective in supporting black boys. Beard combined the findings of research from some of the greatest minds in the fields of psychology, education, health, and child development.

She laid out the four basic parenting styles, all a mixture of how responsive and demanding parents are:

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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmmm - both parents need to be involved! Children need structure and discipline.

These are declining attributes in all cultures - it just started in this particular community....

Anonymous said...

It's easy. Start with a two parent household with a mother and a father. Bring back tradition, and raise him in a christian home and re-enforce it with church attendance and positive examples from the parents. Should him love and just be there for him.

Anonymous said...

A two parent household which includes a mother and a father. Preferably married and total involvement in the daily care and upbringing of the child. Teach him values and most importantly, just be there!!!!!

Anonymous said...

My children are all bi racial. All adopted. Raised in a Christian single family home. They were taught morals and responsibility. They were educated. One is a social worker. 2 are in college. One of those is managing a veterinary practice. It doesn't always take 2 parents. It takes hard work and determination. You can't judge all single parent homes. Many are doing an extremely good job.

lmclain said...

How can there be differences between black children and white children that need different methods of discipline without admitting their are differences in their behavior and attitude?
Sounds like racism to me.
I'll bet if someone said black boys start more fights more than whites, or black boys start more trouble in school than white boys, or white boys listen to the teacher better than black boys, all hell would break loose.
So, again, explain the rationale without sounding racist.
I'll wait.

Anonymous said...

2:18 - you and yours are a rare success story...congrats.

It does take positive ethos and accountability!

Anonymous said...

Who the hell raised Obama? He turned out worse than any criminal in U.S. history!

Anonymous said...

I think it starts by example. You want a hard working child, show him a hard working parent.
You want a punk, then you are likely a punk parent OR the grandparents are raising the child and because they feel sorry for his situation, they let him get a way with everything.

I also have to agree, raising a black child should be NO different than raising a white one. This color crap has to stop.

Anonymous said...

4:26 Obama was raised by Communists. Proven fact.

Anonymous said...

First and foremost don't have them if you can't afford them and don't have them as a career move for a pay check...and baby mommy's just learn to say no..or...family love and nurturing two involved parents will go a long way

Anonymous said...

72% of black children are born to a single parent household. Even if there are some success stories it is certainly not the norm. Raising a child is hard enough with 2 people committed to it.

Anonymous said...

Children are children, love them, teach them, but most of all parent them. They will make the right decisions and be positive, contributing members of society who give more than they take.

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute....why should black kids be parented any different that any other race? Article sounded too racist to read.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Imclain and 806. WTF is this craphead fishing for?

Anonymous said...

I don't how black children require different parenting skills from any other race.. unless black children where genetically modified to commit a certain style of behavior.. there's no difference.. what's the purpose of this post anyway.. seems like someone has basis feelings