By examining data that are controlled for race and social class, this analysis not only refutes categorically the myth of the Black matriarchy but indicates that the equalitarian pattern of decision making appears to be the norm for American households, and that the cultural lag, if any, is found not among Blacks but among middle- class White households that now are struggling toward the equalitarian goal.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Jackson, J.J.Black women in a racist society. In C. V. Willie, B. M. Kramer, & B. S. Brown (Eds.), Racism and mental health . Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1973, pp. 185-268.
2.
Mack D.The power relationship in Black families and White families. In R. Staples (Ed.), The Black family. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 1978 .
3.
Middleton, R., & Putney, S.Dominance in decisions in the family: Race and class differences. American Journal of Sociology, 1960, 65(6), 605-609. Also in C. V. Willie (Ed.), The family life of Black people. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill, 1970, pp. 16-20.
4.
Staples, R.The myth of the Black matriarchy. Black Scholar, 1970, 1, 8-16. Taylor, H.F.Playing the dozens with path analysis. In R. L. Hall (Ed.), Black separation and social reality. New York: Pergamon Press, 1977.
5.
TenHouten, W.D.The Black family: Myth and reality. Psychiatry, 1970,25, 145-173. U. S. Department of Labor.The Negro family: The case for national action. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1965.
6.
Willie, C.V.A new look at Black families. Bayside, N.Y.: General Hall, 1976.
7.
Willie, C.V.Black and White middle class families: What they can teach and learn from each other. Interaction, 1978, (Winter), 12-20.