The Myth of the Black Matriarchy Under Slavery

Child development in the context of the Black extended family.

“…The development of multigenerational linkages among slave families was accompanied by a conception of family and kin obligations of mutual support and assistance. Reliably replicated historical studies suggest that 70% of the children born into slavery were born into long-standing conjugal relationships (Agresti, 1978; Gutman, 1976; Otto & Burns, 1983); family units were eventually reconstituted or blended into step-family situations when families were separated when a member was sold to another plantation (Dykstra & Manfra, 1985; Meacham, 1983); and plantations usually contained large extended families by 1825 (Cohen, 1984; Genovese, 1976; Herskovits, 1966). Patterns of familial organization evolved over successive generations and led to the emergence from slavery of families that were multigenerational, collateral, and extranuclear (Agresti, 1978; Fogel & Engelman, 1974; Genovese, 1976; Gutman, 1976; Herskovits, 1966; Meacham, 1983).…”

The Black extended family: An analytical consideration.

“…This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly. Adams, 1970;Agesti, 1978;Akbar, 1976;Aoyagi, 1978;Aschenbrenner, 1973Aschenbrenner, , 1978Atkinson, 1978;Billingsley, 1968;Fogel & Engelman, 1974;Foster, 1983;Frate, 1978;Genovese, 1976;Guthrie, 1979;Gutman, 1976;Hale, 1982;Herskovits, 1966Herskovits, , 1972Hill, 1972Hill, , 1977Jack, 1978;Ladner, 1972;Otto & Burns, 1983;Shimkin, Shimkin, & Frate, 1978;Stack, 1974 Proximity High degree of residential propensity among related household or sharing residence with family members Aoyagi, 1978;Aschenbrenner, 1973Aschenbrenner, , 1978Atkinson, 1978;Billingsley, 1968;Fogel & Engelman, 1974;Guthrie, 1979;Hale, 1982;Hill, 1972Hill, , 1977Jack, 1978;Ladner, 1972;Laguerre, 1978;Martin & Martin, 1978;Meacham, 1983;Nobles, 1974Nobles, , 1980Otto & Burns, 1983;…”

“…• participation in family occasions • visiting, telephoning, partying • social interaction network Adams, 1970;Aoyogi, 1978;Atkinson, 1978;Gabriel & McAnarey, 1983;Guthrie, 1979;Hale, 1982;Hays & Mindel, 1973;Hill & Schackleford, 1977;Holloman & Lewis, 1978;Jack, 1978;Jackson, 1970Jackson, , 1971Jackson, , 1974Laguerre, 1978;Martin & Martin, 1978;McAdoo, 1978McAdoo, , 1980Mindel & Wright, 1982;Scanzoni, 1979;Shimkin, Louie, & Frate, 1978;E. Smith, 1975 Functionality Kin help system, social support including expressive and instrumental aid • advise giving • decision making • monetary support (regular, emergency) • childcare • informal adoption • adsorption of dependents Billingsley, 1968;Cohen, 1984;Darden & Darden, 1978;Flanagan, 1978;Frate, 1978;Gabriel & McAnarney, 1983;Guthrie, 1979;Gutman, 1976;Hays & Mindel, 1973;Hill, 1977;Hill & Schackleford, 1977;Holloman & Lewis, 1978;Jack, 1978;Jackson, 1970Jackson, , 1971Jackson, , 1974Martin & Martin, 1978;McAdoo, 1980;Meacham, 1983;…”