Research on the African-American Family

Research on the African-American Family, by Robert Hill, published in 1968, is the counter-point to The Moynihan Report, or The Negro Family: The Case For National Action. In this report, Hill talks about both the strengths and the difficulties in the African American home.

In his report, Hill speaks of the five major strengths of Black families:

1. Strong religious orientation
2. High Aspiration Rate: aspirations to achieve more than they "ought" to aspire considering situation
3. Role Exchange: women are not afraid to support the family if men are not able.
4. Kinship Circle: extended family in the black community
5. Willingness to Work

While the report never received a great amount of notice, it was known and played an influential role in changing welfare in order to allow the opportunity for black families to become more cohesive. Before this report, a family could not receive welfare if there was an able-bodied man in the household, so some men would live out of the house so that their families could receive the welfare.

See also

• Black matriarchy
• American family structure