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Children of Incarcerated Parents

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there has been a 13% decline in<br />

integration in public schools.<br />

These same reports also show that in<br />

2002, 56% <strong>of</strong> African-American students<br />

graduated from high school with a<br />

diploma, while 78% <strong>of</strong> whites students<br />

graduated. If students do not feel they<br />

are learning, they will not continue to go<br />

to school. This conclusion is made from<br />

the Manhattan Institute for Policy<br />

Research report that stated only 23% <strong>of</strong><br />

African-American students who<br />

graduated from public high school felt<br />

college-ready. Hatterly suggests that the<br />

government invest into the African-<br />

American family by investing in the<br />

African-American children's education. A<br />

solution is found in providing the same<br />

resources provided to schools that are<br />

predominantly white. According to<br />

Hatterly, through education equality the<br />

African-American family structure can<br />

increase opportunities to prosper with<br />

equality in employment, wages, and<br />

health insurance.<br />

Alternatives to Incarceration<br />

According to Hattery and Smith 25–33%<br />

<strong>of</strong> African-American men are spending<br />

time in jail or prison and according to<br />

Thomas, Krampe, and Newton 28% <strong>of</strong><br />

African-American children do not live<br />

with any father<br />

representative. According to Hatterly,<br />

the government can stop this situation<br />

that many African-American children<br />

experience due to the absence <strong>of</strong> their<br />

father. Hatterly suggests probation or<br />

treatment (for alcohol or drugs) as<br />

alternatives to incarceration.<br />

Incarceration not only continues the<br />

negative assumption <strong>of</strong> the African-<br />

American family structure, but<br />

perpetuates poverty, single parenthood,<br />

and the separation <strong>of</strong> family units.<br />

History<br />

According to data extracted from 1910<br />

census manuscripts, compared to white<br />

women, black women are more likely to<br />

become teenage mothers, stay single<br />

and have marriage instability, and are<br />

thus much more likely to live in femaleheaded<br />

single-parent homes. This<br />

pattern has been known as black<br />

matriarchy because <strong>of</strong> the observance<br />

<strong>of</strong> many households headed by women.<br />

The breakdown <strong>of</strong> the Black family was<br />

first brought to national attention in 1965<br />

by sociologist and later Democratic<br />

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, in the<br />

groundbreaking Moynihan Report (also<br />

known as "The Negro Family: The Case<br />

For National Action").Moynihan's report<br />

made the argument that the relative<br />

absence <strong>of</strong> nuclear families (those<br />

having both a father and mother<br />

present) in Black America would greatly<br />

hinder further Black socioeconomic<br />

progress.<br />

The current most widespread African<br />

American family structure consisting <strong>of</strong> a<br />

single parent has historical roots dating<br />

back to 1880. Data from U.S.<br />

Census reports reveal that between<br />

1880 and 1960, married households<br />

consisting <strong>of</strong> two-parent homes were the<br />

most widespread form <strong>of</strong> African<br />

American family structures. Although the<br />

most popular, married households<br />

decreased over this time period. Singleparent<br />

homes, on the other hand,<br />

remained relatively stable until 1960<br />

when they rose dramatically. A study <strong>of</strong><br />

1880 family structures in Philadelphia<br />

showed that three-fourths <strong>of</strong> black<br />

Page 24 <strong>of</strong> 109

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