The Vanishing Family Essay

Anthony Caesar
11/7/15
Sociology 111
The Vanishing Family: Crisis in Black America

Through the almost desolate portrayal of the black families in the rough city of Newark, I feel that The Vanishing Family: Crisis in Black America struck an emotional cord with its audiences; however I feel like it only covers the surface of the problem. From my perspective, the film came off almost as if the issue a hand is a lost cause and there is no solution in sight. It also doesn’t necessarily dive into what brought the Black community to this point, especially in the poorer neighborhoods. I believe that a significant part in family structure is the financial aspect, which isn’t saying those with little to no money couldn’t have a successful family however,

While I do believe that things have improved to a certain extent from where we were in the 80’s, we have a long way to go but it makes sense but you have had resources withheld from you as a whole community. I think that saying that this video is a representation of Black families today is an extreme generalization that I believe just isn’t true. The film did upset me but it makes me want to go out and do better and even educate those in our community and help bring us together as people. I believe the video says that the less fortunate Black families in America, jobless fathers is an important problem and from the “traditional” family perspective, those communities are in dire straits. I don’t believe the family is vanishing, the values of being there for your child is still very important. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) actually publishing new data in 2014 that proved even 67% of black fathers (in similar living conditions) who don’t live with their children see them at least once a month, with white fathers at 59% and Hispanic dads at 32%. I believe the family aspect is still vital but systematic issues like fatherless homes, high crime rates, and lower