Author : Mary Kaye Johnson (N.)
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 154 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (784 download)
Book Synopsis An Exploration of Marital Attitudes Held by African American Men by : Mary Kaye Johnson (N.)
Download or read book An Exploration of Marital Attitudes Held by African American Men written by Mary Kaye Johnson (N.) and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research examining marriage in the United States indicates that the institution of marriage is rapidly declining, particularly among African Americans. A prevalent factor accounting for this decline includes the incongruence of marital attitudes held by African American men and women. Current theoretical explanations generally exclude the study of male marital experiences. Therefore, an exploration of the male experience of marriage is needed for a more comprehensive understanding for the overall decline of African American marriages. The purpose of this qualitative study was to (1) examine the marital attitudes held by happily married African American men; (2) gain insight about how these men came to marry and remain happily married; and (3) establish pre-marital programming within the African American community. The goal of pre-marital programming is to promote the occurrence of healthy, long-lasting Black marriages. The participants were six African American men who comprised one focus group. The data obtained from the focus group indicated that despite the abundance of obstacles to marriage, participants valued marriage and engage in happy marriages. The participants indicated that their attitudes and values regarding marriage derived mainly from a supportive upbringing and observing their own parents. However, the men agreed that the majority of African American men lack this type of upbringing and role models, which negatively impacts their decision to marry or maintain happy marriages. The participants reported hesitance about attending pre-marital programming but felt that the programs could be beneficial within the African American community. Side-Stepping Obstacles of United Love (S.O.U.L. MATE) is a pre-marital program developed from the marital attitudes and recommendations provided by the participants. The program would be federally funded and held twice a month, annually at local churches and community centers. S.O.U.L. MATE would function to educate Black men about common misconceptions of marriage and the current problems affecting the state of marriage within the African American community. Education is accomplished through four tracks, each with an unique objective: (1) With This Ring, I Thee Wed, (2) To Love & To Cherish, (3) In Sickness & In Health, and (4) For Richer & For Poorer.