Black Fathers Denied

Abstract

Black fathers’ sentiments about the child support and custody (CSC) system reflect an understanding that the CSC overwhelmingly supports mothers at the expense of, and even against, Black fathers. Consequently, Black fathers may develop a sense that their voices and circumstances within the CSC system—along with other federal, state, and county-based health and human service programs—are considered inconsequential. In this context, we argue that this embodies what we term Black personhood denied. Drawing from two sample groups of Black fathers derived from two discrete research projects, we use the self-reported narratives and perspectives of Black fathers in the CSC system to qualitatively foreground how their experiences demonstrate the systematic denial of their voices and agency. Secondarily, we explore how their CSC experiences contribute to their understanding and perceptions of race and gender; specifically, how they think civic institutions (e.g., family court, law enforcement, human service sector, etc.) view and treat Black men/fathers relative to women/mothers. Lastly, we explore how perceptions of differential treatment according to their race and gender impacts other areas of their lives.