"The Struggle is Real Though": Influence of Systemic Biases on the Experience of Black Fathers with Low Income during COVID-19

• Published in: Child welfare Vol. 102; no. 5; pp. 87 - 110
• Main Authors: Hoffmeister, Michael R, Walsh, Tova B, Zimmerman, Laura, Pate, David J., Jr, Davidson, Darryl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arlington Child Welfare League of America, Inc 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Adversity; African American men; Barriers; Bias; Black people; Caregivers; Caseworkers; Child Custody; Child support; Children & youth; COVID-19; Decision making; Demographic aspects; Economic aspects; Educational Attainment; Epidemics; Families & family life; Family; Family (Sociological Unit); Fatherhood; Fathers; Focus groups; Gender; Group Experience; Human subjects; Influence; Institutional racism; Low Income; Low income groups; Pandemics; Parent Caregiver Relationship; Parent Participation; Physical Health; Race; Racial Differences; Racial Identification; Racism; Social aspects; Social Change; Social Systems; Stereotypes; United States; United States; United States > US; Wisconsin
• ISSN: 0009-4021

This research considers themes from focus group conversations with fathers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to explore how fathers' social and economic circumstances influenced their experience as parents during the pandemic. Findings underscore how systemic biases exacerbated the pandemicrelated adversity experienced by Black fathers with low income. Biases include assumptions that fathers are the primary breadwinner rather than the primary or co-equal caregiver, that fathers have access to and literacy with technology, and that fathers only deserve support under certain circumstances.