national income standard, and 47 percent are single-parent families where the mother is the head of the household without a father present (Macionis 317). When these figures are examined it is obvious to see why many African-Americans live in sub-standard housing. Furthermore, it is socially accepted for white women to stay home and raise children, whereas for Africans it is highly unusual if one parent willingly stays home to rear children (Zinn 37). This disadvantage hurts future generations and also breaks down the family structures because the children have no one to look up to and lack the adult guidance necessary in life. Tamika Allen stated that she hardly ever has the chance to sit down and eat a meal with her mother and on average they spend less than ten hours a week together because her mother has to work to help support the family. On the other hand, white males are able to earn more money and provide enough subsistence for their families where a mother can stay home and help raise children. This ability helps secure the functions of the family, socialization, regulation of sexual activity, social placement, and material and emotional security. The majority of ethnic families rely on other family-like structures to provide them with the support and stability that might be lacking at home. Therefore, the races of the members of society have a defining effect on the type of family relationships that can be found in our nation today. “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer,” Aaron Allen explains why he believes from birth he was facing an uphill battle with society. Many of our nation’s values come from the ideal that hard work will get you to the top of the social stratum. Unfortunately, many of today’s under privileged have two jobs and are still unable to achieve the social ranking that people of “old money” are able to achieve at birth. The foundations of ...
