Question 1

Which of the following statements does NOT align with a strength-resiliency perspective on Black families?&#10;A) Black families are diverse in structure and class position but are bound by common experiences and cultural values.&#10;B) Because of social and economic forces, Black families are dysfunctional and culturally devoid.&#10;C) Single mother, low income families are efficient and flexible, especially with the creation and use of large networks of social support.&#10;D) Children of Black families demonstrate both mainstream values and traditional African values in a unique blend of cultural experiences.

Accepted Answer

Option B does not align with a strength-resiliency perspective on Black families as it perpetuates negative stereotypes by claiming that Black families are dysfunctional and culturally devoid. The other options highlight the diversity, cultural values, efficient social support networks, and unique blend of cultural experiences found in Black families, which aligns with a strength-resiliency perspective.

Question 2

Before the civil rights era, why was the single mother/ male-absent family seen as the biggest problem facing Black people?&#10;A) Maternal families deviated from the idealized gender &#34;norm&#34; of two-parent families and was thus associated with poverty and deficient child socialization.&#10;B) Maternal families were seen as prone to dependency and passivity.&#10;C) Children from these families did not do well in their education.&#10;D) Single mother/male-absent families were not seen as the biggest problem facing Black people.

Accepted Answer

The single mother/male-absent family was seen as deviating from the ideal of a two-parent family, which was believed to provide children with a stronger foundation for socialization and upward mobility. Poverty was also associated with single-parent families, as women often earned less than men, and lacked the support of a partner. As a result, the idea grew that single motherhood was a major obstacle to the progress of the black community, with many viewing it as a moral failing.

Question 3

Social Deficit and Strength-Resilience theorists are similar in that they both ______.&#10;A) lost popularity after the Civil Rights era&#10;B) pathologized Black families and Black women&#10;C) used quantitative methodologies and research strategies, such as wide-scale surveys and probabilities&#10;D) relied on basic descriptive statistic and qualitative research strategies, such as participant observation, case studies, and interviews

Accepted Answer

Social Deficit and Strength-Resilience theorists are similar in that they both rely on basic descriptive statistic and qualitative research strategies, such as participant observation, case studies, and interviews. They differ in their focus, with Social Deficit theorists focusing on the problems and shortcomings of Black families and communities, while Strength-Resilience theorists focus on the strengths and resources of Black families and communities.

Question 4

Do you agree with Hill's assertions that race-inferiority ideologies often reemerge and that social class polarization is the biggest challenge for African American families? What do you think is the largest obstacle facing African American families today?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Hill's assertions that...

Question 5

Hill points out that although the media has often portrayed Black families as overcoming racial barriers with hard work, ______.&#10;A) race continues to be salient in Black families' lives and middle-class status is often precarious&#10;B) this full integration is also possible in real African American families&#10;C) the media also effectively demonstrates the diversity of Black families&#10;D) economic affluency is also a likely consequence of hard work

Accepted Answer

Hill argues that despite the portrayal of Black families as overcoming racial barriers with hard work, race continues to be significant in their lives and achieving middle-class status remains precarious. This is supported by her research on Black families in the United States.

Question 6

Compare and contrast the Social Deficits and Strengths-Resiliency perspectives on African American families. What are the main components of each perspective? In what historical context did each perspective arise? Finally, what does Hill think is missing from the Strengths-Resiliency perspective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the Social Deficits and...

Question 7

Why was the social deficit perspective of Black families not sufficient?&#10;A) It argued that slavery, racial oppression, segregation, discrimination, and lack of opportunity had adversely affected African American families.&#10;B) It ignored the ongoing impact of contemporary racism on Black families and overlooked the ways that African cultural values and traditions were maintained, altered, and adapted through the American experience.&#10;C) It ignored the fact that social and economic forces had destroyed African cultural traditions and prevented assimilation, which left Black a large percentage of Black people in poverty and with pathological behaviors.&#10;D) It claimed that modern racism had more effect on family structure than slavery.

Accepted Answer

The social deficit perspective of Black families argued that slavery, racial oppression, segregation, discrimination, and lack of opportunity had adversely affected African American families. However, it ignored the ongoing impact of contemporary racism on Black families and overlooked the ways that African cultural values and traditions were maintained, altered, and adapted through the American experience. The perspective also did not account for the strength and resilience of Black families in the face of adversity. Therefore, it was not a sufficient or complete explanation for understanding the complexities of Black family experiences.

Question 8

Which of the following have contributed to the further marginalization of Black women?&#10;A) Black women's earning potential declined between 1973 and 1991, especially for those with college-educations.&#10;B) Punitive welfare policies left Black women with less to share, severing many of their extended network ties and isolated Black families.&#10;C) The civil rights era's emphasis on strengthening Black men curtailed the power of Black women, leading to a rejection of female power and matriarchs.&#10;D) All of these contributed to the marginalization of Black women.

Accepted Answer

All of the options presented have contributed to the further marginalization of Black women. The decline in earning potential has had a direct impact on their economic stability and their ability to provide for themselves and their families. Punitive welfare policies have hit Black women particularly hard, leaving them with less support and fewer resources. The emphasis on strengthening Black men during the civil rights era meant that Black women's power was downplayed and often rejected, leading to their marginalization in a movement that was supposed to be fighting for their rights as well. Overall, the combination of these factors has contributed to the further marginalization of Black women.

Question 9

According to Hill, what research on African American families should be conducted in order to further our understanding about Black diversity?&#10;A) African Americans definitions and constructions of middle-class, African cultural traditions, and sexuality analysis&#10;B) intimate relationships among African Americans and female-headed households&#10;C) African Americans definitions and constructions of middle-class, intimate relationships among African Americans, and gender analysis&#10;D) female-headed households and assimilation

Accepted Answer

Hill argues that research on African American families should include an emphasis on African Americans' definitions and constructions of middle-class, gender analysis, and intimate relationships among African Americans. This would help to further our understanding of Black diversity in terms of how African Americans perceive and create their own definitions of success, the ways in which gender influences African American families, and the dynamics of intimate relationships in African American communities. The other options - A, B, and D - touch on important topics related to African American families, but do not encompass the same level of breadth and depth as the combination of choices in C.

Question 10

Robert Hill described all of the following EXCEPT ______ as cultural strengths of Black families.&#10;A) resiliency&#10;B) extended family ties&#10;C) distinct gender roles&#10;D) strong achievement orientation

Accepted Answer

Robert Hill did not describe distinct gender roles as a cultural strength of Black families, but instead described resiliency, extended family ties, and strong achievement orientation.

Deck 7: The Politics of Theorizing Black Families: Old Debates, New Directions