The African American Child: Development and Challenges

by Yvette R. Harris PhD, James A. Graham PhD

Overview

Praise for the First Edition:

"This book argues convincingly that children's cultural differences need to be recognized for any accurate understanding of their development. Pointing out the need for additional and more effectively designed research, Harris and Graham provide a valuable foundation for further investigations. This nonpolemic book should be in all libraries, filling an unfortunate gap. Highly recommended."

--Choice

This is an evenhanded examination of the challenges affecting the lives of African American children that emphasizes their strengths and resiliency rather than deficits. It is the only text to comprehensively consider the biological, emotional, social, and cultural domains of development in this population. The second edition reflects an acceleration of research on the development of racial identity in African American children, a shift from the dictates of "No Child Left Behind" to a more flexible approach to student academic evaluation, and changes in the economic conditions of African American children and their families. The book also reflects the increase in the number of African American children in foster care and those with incarcerated parents. New coverage also includes new information about the mental health of African Americans, and a new chapter on adolescent development.

This new edition features updated statistical information on health problems, healthcare access, new diagnostic techniques, new treatment approaches, and the number of children of African origin. It provides an expanded discussion of the value of qualitative methodology, ethical issues in research, and a discussion of the characteristics of middle and upper class African American families. End-of-chapter discussion questions, an "Insiderís Voice" in each chapter that highlights important elements, and an "Issues Box" that highlights historic and legal issues also enhance the second edition.

New to the Second Edition:

• New inclusion of information on African American adolescents
• A discussion of the impact of parental incarceration on the long- and short-term outcomes of African American children
• Updated statistical information on health, academic performance, language and literacy, and other issues
• Information about children of African origin and their families
• Information about middle and upper class African American families
• Expanded discussion of the value of qualitative methodology and ethical issues in research on African American children
• New diagnostic techniques and treatment approaches for sickle cell anemia
• Update on work with AA families and children in therapy and the role of community focused therapy
• A discussion of the role of self-efficacy on academic competence, the influence of NCLB on academic performance, and current initiatives to improve academic outcomes for African American children
• The current status of Oakland School Boardís Ebonics Resolution
• New information on Prosocial Behavior and Empathy and Aggressive/Antisocial behavior among African American children
• Expanded section on how communities affect the lives of African American children including research on African American children and the media
• End-of-chapter discussion questions
• "Insiderís Voice" and "Issues Box" features in each chapter

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826110206
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/13/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	302
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Yvette R. Harris, PhD, is Professor of Psychology, Miami University, Ohio. Her research focuses on exploring the environmental contributions to preschool and school age cognitive development with specific attention on the learning/ teaching patterns of African American parents. Her current line of research explores family stabilization and destabilization as mother re-nter from prison. . She has presented her work at both national and international conferences and her research has appeared in a variety of educational and developmental journals and publications, including: European Journal of Developmental Psychology, Journal of Black Psychology Journal of Early Childhood Research, Childhood Education; and The Encyclopedia for Human Development. Dr. Harris's work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Proctor and Gamble, Miami University, and the Harvard/Radcliffe Murray Research Center. She also serves on the Editorial Board for several journals, including: Early Childhood Research Quarterly and Forum on Public Policy.

Table of Contents

"

Preface

Acknowledgments

CHAPTER 1 Demographics: A Portrait of African American

Children and African American Adolescents 1

Overview

Section One: Population Statistics on African American Children and

African American Adolescents

Section Two: Living Arrangements of African American Children

Section Three: Economic Conditions of African American Children and Their Families

Perspectives on Demographics and African American Children and

African American Adolescents

Additional Readings

CHAPTER 2 Research Issues With African American Children and

African American Adolescents 15

Overview: The Importance of Studying Developmental Research Methods

Insiderís Voice: The Need for More Research on African American Children

Section One: Problems: Methodological Constraints in Research Designs

Insiderís Voice: Where Have We Gone Wrong?

Section Two: Conducting Culturally Relevant Research With African American Children

The Need for Culturally Sensitive Research With African American Children

Conceptual Frameworks and Interdisciplinarity

The Role of Context in African American Child Development

The Relationship to African American Child Development and Central Characteristics in Developmental Psychology

Ethical Considerations With African American Child Participants

Section Three: Theories

Vygotskyís Sociocultural Theory

Bronfenbrennerís Bioecological Systems Theory

Integrative Conceptual Model of Child Development

Perspectives on Research and Theories

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 3 Health Issues and African American Children and African American Adolescents

Overview

Section One: Health Challenges

Infant Mortality

Insiderís Voice: Infant Mortality

Maternal Risk Factors

Initiatives Designed to Reduce African American Infant Mortality Rates

Physical Challenges Beyond Infancy

AIDS

Treatment of AIDS

Plumbism

Insiderís Voice: Plumbism

Treatment of Plumbism

Sickle-Cell Anemia

Insiderís Voice: Sickle-Cell Anemia

Treatment of Sickle-Cell Anemia

Asthma

Treatment of Asthma

Obesity

Treatment of Obesity

African American Adolescents and Health Issues

Sexual Behavior

Contraceptive Use

Teen Pregnancy

STIís and STDís

Section Two: Access to Health Care

Perspectives on the Health Status of African American Children and

African American Adolescents

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 4 Mental Health Issues, Racial Identity and African American Children and African American Adolescents 65

Overview

Section One: Mental Health Issues

Insiderís Voice: African American Children and Mental Health Issues

Mental Health Status of African American Children and African American Adolescents

Risk Factors

Assessment and Diagnosis

Treatment of Mental Health Disorders

Section Two: Racial Identity

Modifiability Studies

Self Concept and Racial Identity

Cognitive level and Racial Attitudes

The Doll Test and the 21^st Century

African American Adolescents and Racial Identity

Perspectives on Mental Health and Racial Identity

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 5 Education and African American Children and African American Adolescents 83

Overview

Section One: School Desegregation and African American Children

Insiderís Voice: Resegregation of Americaís Public Schools

Desegregation and African American Children

Section Two: Schools That Work for African American Children

Public School Models

Charter Schools

Independent Black Schools (IBS)

Section Three: African American Children and Early Intervention Programs

Head Start

High/Scope Perry Preschool Project

The Abecedarian Project

Perspectives on Education and African American Children

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 6 Language and Literacy 111

Overview

Section One: The Controversy

Insiderís Voice: The Oakland School Board Ebonics Resolution

Section Two: Language Learning and African American Children

Section Three: Language and Literacy Issues

Section Four: Language and Literacy Intervention Programs for African American Children

Section Five: Language Assessment and African American Children: Distinguishing Dialect From a Speech Language Disorder

Perspectives on Language Learning and Literacy and African American Children

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 7 Moral Development 133

Overview

Insiderís Voice: What if Heinz Were Black?

The Issues

Section One: Theories of Moral Development

Piagetís Theory

Kohlbergís Theory: The Ethic of Justice

Criticisms of Piagetís and Kohlbergís Theories

Gilliganís Theory: The Ethic of Care

Gibbís Sociomoral Reasoning Model

Humphriesí Culture and Empathy Model

Turielís Domain Theory: Moral Rules and Social Conventions

Section Two: Aggressive Behavior and African American Children

Morality and Racial Identity Development

Section Three: Prosocial Behavior and African American Children

Possible Factors Influencing Prosocial Behavior in African American Children

Moral Development and Community Violence

Insiderís Voice: Dissecting the ëCode of the Streetí

Perspectives on African American Children and Moral Development

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings

Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 8 Social Contexts in the Lives of African American Children and African American Adolescents

American Children: 165

Overview

Issues

Insiderís Voice: Resilience in Black Families

Section One: Models of the African American Family

Pathological Model

Cultural Equivalent Model

Emergent Model

Ecology Models of the Family

Guiding Principles of Family Systems Theory

External Systems Affecting the Family

Section Two: African American Family Structure and Child Development

Nuclear Family

African American Single-Parent Families

Other Types of Families

Childre of Incarcerated Parents

Foster Care Families

Section Three: Neighborhoods and Communities

Section Four: The Peer Group

African American Childrenís Peer Relationships

African American Childrenís Friendships

Race and Bullying

Section Five: Media Exposure and Usage

Perspectives on African American Children and Social Contexts

Chapter Summary

Additional Readings Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 9 Epilogue: Where Do We Go From Here? 185

Poverty

Cultural Diversity Within the African American Population

Family Constellation

Health Care

Education

Violence

Mass Incarceration of Neighborhoods and African American Parents References 189

Index 215

"

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description:This book describes issues that affect African American children, including historical, cultural, and social factors. The authors discuss both the difficulties faced by children of color and how they overcome them.
Purpose:The authors had four goals: "First, we wanted to introduce students to issues that impact the lives of African American children that typically are not discussed in child development textbooks or are relegated to a paragraph in most developmental textbooks. Second, we wanted to present a balanced discussion of the challenges that impact the lives of African American children as well as emphasize their strengths and their resiliency. Third, we wanted to familiarize students with a sampling of research that moves beyond a deficit view of the development of African American children and takes into account the historical, cultural, and social factors that influence developmental outcomes for African American children. Fourth and perhaps most importantly, we wanted to stimulate critical thinking in social science students about future directions for research on African American children and their families."
Audience:Their audience includes "social science students (developmental psychology, social work, sociology, Black World Studies) and other related disciplines (family sciences, education, and nursing) to African American child development." Dr. Harris, associate professor of psychology at Miami University of Ohio, has researched the environmental contributions to preschool and school age cognitive development for the last 17years. Dr. Graham, associate professor of psychology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), is interested in the social-cognitive aspects of children's relationships.
Features:The book covers issues such as demographics, health issues, mental health issues and racial identity, and moral development. Each chapter begins with an overview, continues with a personal story or a personal viewpoint about the topic, and concludes with a discussion of current perspectives on African American child development and additional readings. Figures and tables are wonderfully instructive and many chapters include boxes that highlight critical information.
Assessment:This excellent book presents important topics, whetting the appetite to learn more. The authors address issues that readers may not want to hear but need to acknowledge in order to understand and intervene in an intelligent manner. This material will challenge beliefs and, hopefully, motivate readers to do something, both in terms of intervention and future research The book should be required reading for individuals working with African American children and their families (and students who will be).