African American Child Discipline: Differences Between Mothers and Fathers

Child rearing methods used in African American homes have been the subject of much commentary among social scientists, child welfare, and legal personnel. Much of the deliberation has centered on firm disciplinary techniques used by African American mothers. However, few studies have included the perspectives of African American fathers. This study investigated the differences between African American mothers' and fathers' responses in relation to child misbehavior. Several significant differences were found with mothers utilizing more intense disciplinary methods than African American fathers. Results of this investigation underscored the importance of obtaining the viewpoints of African American fathers as well as mothers in understanding parenting in African American homes. Key Points for the Family Court Community: African American mothers and fathers use a variety of disciplinary methods to address misbehavior in their children. When social scientists are preoccupied with African Americans spanking or whuppin their children, it becomes easier for researchers to deny African American parents their intentional (e.g., explained behavioral expectations to child) and strategic (e.g., hierarchical in nature in that second disciplinary response to misbehavior is more severe than the first) child-rearing qualities that are associated with being a competent parent. Helping professionals are reluctant to broach the discussion of child discipline with African American parents. There is a significant gender effect in the intensity of disciplinary practices among African American parents in that mothers tend to use more severe disciplinary practices than fathers. Disciplinary Best Practice Questions can be a way of uniformly assessing disciplinary tactics and making a decision about when discipline crosses the line to abuse. They could focus investigators, therapists, and judges away from inherent biases and on to the facts of a case.