The Black Issue with Dad. Urban Therapy with Sun #168

The issue of the Black father has been going on for generations and unfortunately in a negative way.

Whether we are talking about the absentee father, the deadbeat dad, the abusive father, the man that never really came around, the man that had all those kids, the man that wouldn't marry my mom, the man that we never met or the one that we can't seem to get it together with, the Black father is a polarizing figure. He commands a lot of attention for a man that so many people say hardly exists in our lives.

The issues with fathers is not exclusive to Black people. Other races and ethnic groups have had similar issues with fathers but their issues seem to have dealt more with abusive or neglectful fathers inside the home. Many Black people have the opposite experience.

This is not a general show concerning fathers though. This show will focus on personal issues that people have had in the Black family with their fathers. 

What has been your experience concerning your dad? Was he there? Was he absent? Have you been mad at him most of your life or have you been looking for him most of your life?

Has someone else that is not been your biological dad been your dad all your life? How did that turn out?

Have you been taught to feel like a father is not as important in your life as a mother is?

What about people who have sons? Do we secretly fear that our sons won't be there for their children if they grew up without a dad? Do we try to prevent that from happening or do we let the chips fall where they may?

What can be done to remedy the situation of the Black father in relation to the child, the family and the community?