Dr. Paula Fomby - Race/Ethnic Differences in Effects of Family Instability on Adolescents

Dr. Fomby will be joining us today to discuss a recently completed study she authored titled "Race/Ethnic Differences in Effects of Family Instability on Adolescents' Risk Behavior".

According to a University of Clorado Denver press release, Paula Fomby says, "We were interested in what distinguished white teenagers from black teenagers, and entertained various explanations offered by other research and theories. Our study reveals two findings. One, the sheer number of adults that are around to give teenagers or their parents support varies by ethnic or racial group. Additionally, adjustment to economic hardship trumps the growing pains introduced by other family changes such as divorce or remarriage."

The researchers followed the lives of approximately 8,000 American teenagers from their adolescence in the mid-90s to young adulthood (over the course of seven years). The teenagers answered questions about their school activities, illegal behaviour, and romantic lives. Their parents provided information about their own relationship histories." Read More!

What can the Black community learn from this study ? Can lessons be learn to assist youth who are having problems and acting out?

Paula Fomby is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at University of Colorado Denver. Her specialty areas include "Family, immigrants and immigration, poverty, public policy, data analysis".

Dr. Barbarin, Author Of Study Focusing On African American Males Pre-K to Prison

Oscar A. Barbarin, Ph.D. is a professor in the Psychology Department at Tulane University. He is a published author of several books including "Institutional Racism and Community Competence", "Mandela's Children: Growing Up in Post-Apartheid South Africa", and others. His research interests are examining educational interventions for achievement and social well-being, and the role of community and family in health risks and health threat.

He earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Rutgers University in 1975 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in social psychology at Stanford University in 1983. He is President of the American Orthopsychiatric Association and a Fellow in American Psychological Association's Division 27 Society for Community Research and Action.



Dr. Oscar A. Barbarin, III, Ph.D projected that by 2029, prisons will house almost 30,000 of the 600,000 four-year olds now living in America. Read More

All is not lost if we act now, Dr. Barbarian says the solution to this problem lies within families, schools and communities.

Black Teens More Optimistic and Cope Better With Family Adversity Than Peers

A couple of new reports are out on studies pertaining to youth that are positive signs for Black teens. Black youth are better able to cope with family breakups or big changes than their white counterparts and Black youth are more optimistic for the future than their counterparts.

What is the catalyst for this positive outlook by Black teens and why are they better able to cope with major family changes than other groups?

Have a thought or answer to share? Call in and make your opinion heard. Black Teen Empowerment Radio bringing you the topics that focus specifically on Black Youth and their empowerment!