A Phenomenological Study of African American Men Who Were Mentored While Pursuing their Bachelors Degree at Historically White Colleges and Universities

The objective of this research was to explore interview data to understand and characterize the nature of brotherhood in a sample of African American men at two historically Black colleges and universities. The authors used thematic analysis on semistructured interview data, collected by an ethnically diverse research team. Recruitment and interviews were conducted at two historically Black colleges and universities in Texas. Twenty African American men, 18 to 35 years old, were randomly selected from 62 recruited participants. Five categories framed brotherhood and health care utilization: (a) trust lessens individual barriers to action, (b) identity unites men through a process of authentication, (c) generations lead by example, (d) approaching life as a shared learning experience, and (e) social pressure and ridicule uphold collective action. Findings suggest that participants trust a group view, identify with the collective, and respond to social pressure to conform; therefore, brotherhood acts as a support mechanism, and its validation influences individual-level engagement and nonengagement.

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Suicide and Homicide Bereavement among African Americans: Implications for Survivor Research and Practice

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.2190/om.66.2.d ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 153-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Tanya L. Sharpe ◽

Sean Joe ◽

Katie C. Taylor

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

African American Men ◽

Family Members ◽

African American Families ◽

Service Needs ◽

Traumatic Loss ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

And Coping

Suicide and homicide are among the leading causes of death for young African-American men; however, little is known about how family members cope with these types of deaths. This exploratory phenomenological study examines the traumatic loss and coping experiences of a purposive convenience sample of 12 immediate African-American surviving family members with a combined experience of 13 deaths, 8 suicides and 5 homicides. Novel aspects of suicide and homicide survivor phenomenon were identified, including Survivor Responses and Reactions, Coping Strategies, and Survivor Service Needs. The implications for research and for those providing services to surviving African-American families are discussed.

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Perceived Father Roles of Married African American Men: A Phenomenological Study

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2244 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Felicia Murray ◽

Shann Hwang

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Role Model ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

African American Men ◽

Sex Role ◽

Future Research ◽

Family Science ◽

Critical Issues ◽

Provider Role ◽

Father Roles

Data is limited regarding the cultural and racial variations of fatherhood. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of eight married African American fathers focusing on their perceptions of father roles and responsible fathering behaviors. Specifically, the study highlighted two critical issues: (1) men’s perceptions about their roles as fathers; and (2) how historical characterizations of father roles can serve as a mechanism for understanding males’ current perceptions. The researchers identified seven role themes: provider, role model/sex role model, disciplinarian, leader, supporter, teacher/spiritual teacher, and guide. Implications for family science practitioners and researchers as well as suggestions for future research are provided.

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Successful Undergraduate African American Men's Navigation and Negotiation of Academic and Social Counter-Spaces as Adaptation to Racism at Historically White Institutions

Journal of College Student Retention Research Theory & Practice ◽

10.1177/1521025117747209 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 326-350

Author(s):

Ray Black ◽

Albert Y. Bimper

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Academic Success ◽

African American Men ◽

Educational Goals ◽

Historically White ◽

Academic Environments ◽

Staff Members ◽

White Institutions ◽

Affinity Groups ◽

Historically White Institutions

Extant research has extensively illuminated African American men's experiences with racism at historically White institutions. Their efforts to persist and graduate meant many of them learned to navigate and respond to racism on and off campus. Such learned behavior has necessitated adopting coping mechanisms to acculturate to the social, cultural, and academic environments within and surrounding institutions of higher education. Drawn from a larger study, this qualitative case study explored the experiences and the strategies used by two participants as they self-navigated the institution's support programs, affinity groups, and campus organizations to achieve personal and academic success. Academically persistent and successful African American men formed unique personal networks; sought out support; and received help from African American organizations, family members, faculty members, and staff members. This research advances a growing body of literature focusing on the success strategies of undergraduate African American men pursuing their educational goals at historically White institutions.

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Still Eating in the Kitchen

Written/Unwritten ◽

10.5149/northcarolina/9781469627717.003.0010 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Carmen V. Harris

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Colleges And Universities ◽

People Of Color ◽

Historically White ◽

Faculty Governance ◽

African American Faculty ◽

Barrier To Entry ◽

New Hires

With an essay that challenges the notion that processes can ever be neutral, Carmen Harris addresses the issue of bureaucratic racism and the resultant marginalization of African American faculty in historically white colleges and universities through processes of faculty governance. The essay illuminates the consequences of tribalism and bias masquerading under the guise of professional objectivity in an environment in which overt racism is frowned upon but also one in which systems intended to thwart inequality are applied by members of the majority to the disadvantage of people of color. These purportedly neutral practices are a barrier to entry to an institution and manages opportunities not just for existing faculty but for potential new hires by establishing criteria and procedures for recruitment, hiring, advancing and terminating members.

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The Lived Experience of Informal African American Male Caregivers

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988307305916 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 16-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jo Ann Weinland

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

African American Men ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Care Recipient ◽

Financial Strain ◽

Care Providers

Informal caregivers play a major role in providing care to loved ones within the home and demands for dependent care are likely to increase. Informal caregivers are likely to continue to be responsible for the majority of care for loved ones living well into late stages of life. This article describes the lived experience of African American men providing care to a relative within the home and explores their definition of caregiver distress. The phenomenological study was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 10 Christian African American men. Demographic data about the caregiver and the care recipient were collected. Common themes included: commitment, support (family support and formal health-related support), spirituality, and caregiver burden (stress, time strain and financial strain). Implications include the need for health care providers to expand their knowledge related to the diversity of caregivers and to use culturally relevant comprehensive assessments of caregivers and recipients, discharge planning tools, and community resources.

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