Photo by EPIC FUWilliam Julius Wilson was one of the first social scientists doing work on race to connect the dying industrial economy to the growing number of single (black) mothers. So instead of pushing for more resources to single mothers, what does he do? Push for increasing the job opportunities of young black men. Something that sounds like common sense I guess, but ends up fitting right into neoconservative arguments about the need for marriage and sound black families.
The middle class (Wilson was concerned with the poor) version of this has pundits and scholars alike wringing their hands about the dwindling pool of available black men, particularly for educated black women. To be fair, I’ve seen this first hand, to a lesser extent as an undergrad, but definitely as a professor. I imagine that I’ve probably taught around 10-15 black male students since I’ve been a professor, while I’ve taught three times as many black women.
But this dynamic is not, and perhaps never has been, one relegated to black populations, as shown by the article below. They do note that black women face particular problems but they are by no means alone:
The sexual cost of female success – Sex News, Sex Talk – Salon.com.
I love this entry and most everything Dr. Spence publishes, but he lost me with this “neoconservative arguments about the need for marriage and sound black families” line. I could be wrong, but it sounded contrary to Dr. Wilson’s view. Am I trippin? If so, what (in the world!) is the opposing view??? Someone please, please share links that will expound on Dr. Spence’s view of “neoconservative arguments about the need for marriage and sound black families”. Thanks!!!
The opposing view that I support would emphasize giving parents the resources to raise their children regardless of their family structure. Wilson wouldn’t call it neoconservative, to be fair. That’s me putting ideology in his mouth, so to speak.
You have come a lawng wayy baye-beh! I am a divorced male in my early 30s.
And I have seen the wonders worked by the Church of ‘Our Lady of Empowerment’. As have about half of my male collegemates, who are in the same demographic as mine. Most (How does two third sound?) have decided never to marry again. I am part of that group.
And those third that will ‘marry again’, have decided to make it a pre-nup or to
have a live-in. No commitments is the new norm.
A good majority amongst us have joined the Promise Keepers and the MRM.
And our outreach program to the young men in colleges is to educate them about the gender biased laws, and the lack of economic and social protection for men,
should they decide to consider making a ‘commitment’.
Unfortunately, this cautionary approach is the only safe alternative for young men. This voluntary quasi-abstinence is the only way to ensure the financial and
emotional security of this crop of men.
What we sow, we reap. Two can play a game etc.
A very bitter and angry ex- family man.
( Try to put yourself in my shoes … Wait… YOU CAN’T!)