These two fathers’ quotes encapsulate three central themes for African American fathers. The first reflects an experience common to many fathers, regardless of race—that a father’s participation in child-rearing is not as important as a mother’s. Fathers are often made to feel uncomfortable when they do express an interest. A second theme relates to the dangers in the community of associating with the “wrong crowd” and the pressure on these young women to become sexually active and have babies at a very young age. The second father speaks to the third theme, the challenges he sees his daughter facing as she grows up and tries to compete in an unjust world. This is a refrain that we heard throughout the interviews with the fathers. This chapter presents the stories of the fathers. They are an important part of the tapestry that has produced their academically successful daughters. They have often been a counterweight to the mothers by offering education about the male world and by providing a male perspective. It is they who assume a protective stance (often along with mothers) as they warn about relations with men. And it is they, along with the mothers, who set the achievement bar high. How did they learn the values they impart, and how do they help their daughters prepare for the future? We asked them what messages they received about education and about being Black when they grew up, and how these messages influenced their parenting style. We asked specifically about their daughters’ abilities and interests in math and science. We were interested in who the fathers believed had been helpful to their daughters along the way. We particularly focused on adolescence and the thorny issues that arise regarding emotional and physical development, dating, and growing up Black. Finally, we asked for their wisdom—what do they recommend to other parents who want to engender academic excellence in their children? Many have a certain picture of the African American father, particularly those fathers who are poor.
RACHEL MORSE’S NEGOTIATING AS THE EFFECT OF DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS IN DURROW’S THE GIRL WHO FELL FROM THE SKY
