Myths of Black Motherhood and Their Consequences

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Keeping with the legacy of American history, the African American family is a topic of controversy and concern. While other aspects of the family are studied, it could be argued that the area of African American motherhood receives the most attention. Unequivocally, African American mothers are depicted as matriarchs, crack-mothers, and welfare queens. In addition, Black mothers are often portrayed as lazy, irresponsible, destructive, and even worthless. These stereotypical images of African American mothers are important because they have powerful implications for African American moms, and for their families at large. Myths influence policy-makers, as well as how these mothers are viewed and treated by society. Although these stereotypes were formed in past decades, many, if not all of them, are still alive today. In order to understand why these labels continue to exist, it is useful to examine the rationale and reasoning behind their creation and the characteristics that are associated with each false image. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Dorothy Roberts both discuss African American mothers and are therefore important viewpoints to consider in this analysis. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, an American politician and sociologist, states in his report, The Negro Family: The Case for National Action (1965), that matriarchy is the main contributor to problems within the Black family. He argues that the matriarch prevents the African American family from achieving equality since it exists in a family system that does include a strong presence of a father-figure. Moynihan contends that “the Negro community has been forced into a matriarchal structure which … seriously retards the progress of the group as a whole” (Moynihan 21).... ... middle of paper ... ...ftery. "Family Structure, Educational Attainment, and Socioeconomic Success: Rethinking the "Pathology of Matriarchy"" American Journal of Sociology 105.2 (1999): 321-65. University of Washington. Web. 18 Feb. 2012. Hyman, Herbert H., and John S. Reed. "Black Matriarchy" Reconsidered: Evidence From Secondary Analysis of Sample Surveys." The Public Opinion Quarterly 33.3 (1969): 346-54. JSTOR. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. Moynihan, Daniel P. "The Moynihan Report (1965)." The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. Humanities Washington, 2007. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. Roberts, Dorothy E. Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty. New York: Pantheon, 1997. Print. Roberts, Dorothy E. "Punishing Drug Addicts Who Have Babies: Women of Color, Equality, and the Right of Privacy." Harvard Law Review 7th ser. 104.May (1991): 1419-482. JSTOR. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.

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