Study Fills Gap In Positive Research On African American Families

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 06 Apr 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Loren Marks, assistant professor of human ecology at LSU, along with several colleagues, published one of the only studies hallmarking positive, long-lasting African-American marriages. The study, "Together, We Are Strong: A Qualitative Study of Happy, Enduring African American Marriages," will be published in "Family Relations" in April.

"This all started about five years ago, when two of my students came up to me after class to ask me a question I couldn't answer," said Marks. "They asked me why there wasn't any research done on strong, marriage-based black families like the ones they came from."

According to the study, scholars tend to view African American families through what is known as a "deficit perspective," a manner that emphasizes problems and negatives. "We felt it was time that someone stepped up and researched the many solid, long-lasting African American marriages that are out there," said Marks.

This qualitative study, which relies on in-depth interviews rather than numerical data, was based on discussions with 30 African American married couples identified across the country. Four key themes rose out of the interviews:

1. Challenges to African American Marriages
Approximately one-half of African Americans - and 24 out of the 30 interviewed couples - live in inner-city neighborhoods typified by poverty, deficient schools, unemployment, street violence and high levels of stress. It is difficult to get married and stay married in such an environment.

2. Overcoming External Challenges to Marriage
Due to their stability, these marriages serve as a primary source of support for those around them. "Knocks of need," or calls for financial, emotional and social support, come to these couples in a seemingly disproportionate amount. The couples' household incomes weren't high by national standards but they typically had more liquid assets than their neighbors - at least until they shared.

3. Resolving Intramarital Conflict
Like all relationships across racial and economic boundaries, each couple reported arguments, disagreements and generally being "different" from one another, but they found ways to work through their conflicts.

4. Unity and the Importance of Being Equally "Yoked"
90 percent of the couples interviewed were actively religious in the same church. Only three of the couples did not regularly attend church, instead choosing to spend Sundays home together. However, the single common factor found was that every couple was in agreement about their religious views, whatever they might be. The couples referred to this as being "equally yoked."

"The goal of the study was to tell the stories of real people, facing real challenges and struggles, but who pull together in their marriages and continue to make it through," said Marks. "We want young people, black and white, to see that strong, happy marriages do exist but that they don't look like the movies. These marriages involve work, sacrifice, patience, unselfishness and commitment. It is tough, but it is possible."

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Source: Loren Marks
Louisiana State University

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