Forging Links: African American Children Clinical Developmental Perspectives

This volume focuses on the challenges faced by Black children in the post-modern age. The authors integrate clinical and developmental psychology with history and culture to address contemporary issues in the field. The issues confronting African American children and parents are unique to this era of unparalleled prosperity. Simultaneous patterns of racial inequality and disparities continue to exist in almost all areas of human activity despite these prosperous times. This book offers an in-depth look at issues and challenges affecting African American children in the 21st century. Topics addressed include quantifying normal behavior, racial identity, racial socialization, acting white, teen fatherhood, poverty, violence, and Black males and sports. This book will be of interest to both academics and professionals in clinical development and family psychology and those involved with legal and social services for Black children.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Introduction by Angela M. Neal-Barnett Psychopathology and Assessment in African American Children and Families: A Historical, Ecological, and Strength-Based Perspective by Michael C. Lambert, Faith Markle, and Valerie F. Bellas A Multi-dimensional Approach to Racial Identity: Implications for African American Children by Robert M. Sellers, Laura M. Morgan, and Tony N. Brown Parental Characteristics, Racial Stress, and Racial Socialization Processes as Predictors of Racial Coping in Middle Childhood by Deborah J. Johnson Being Black: New Thoughts on the Old Phenomenon of Acting White by Angela M. Neal-Barnett Psychological Adjustment of Urban, Inner City, African-American Adolescents by Ronald D. Taylor Violence and Trauma in the Lives of African American Children by Esther J. Jenkins Sports and African-American Male Children: What Values and Motives Do They Have? by Robert E. Stadulis, Gary Waters, and Angela M. Neal-Barnett Young, Unwed African American Fathers: Indicators of their Paternal Involvement by Waldo E. Johnson Jr. Reflections of the Forum: Graduate Students on the Inside Track by Anita C. Heard, Madinah Ikhlas, and Michelle D. Mitchell The 1999 Kent State Forum: Take Home Messages and Future Challenges for the Field of Development Psychology by Kathryn A. Kerns

About the Author :
ANGELA M. NEAL-BARNETT is Associate Professor of Psychology at Kent State University. She is the co-editor of Family and Peers and Latino Children and Families in the United States. JOSEFINA M. CONTRERAS is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Kent State University. She is the co-editor of Family and Peers and Latino Children and Families in the United States. KATHRYN A. KERNS is Associate Professor of Psychology at Kent State University. She is the co-editor of Family and Peers and Latino Children and Families in the United States.

Review :
"Intellectual stimulation and information are the hallmarks of a good book. The editors selected writers who placed new lenses in new frames. The complex lives of African American children are explored from several critical perspectives. This is a must read for those who seek to research and serve this heterogeneous group of children."-Jessica Henderson Daniel Co-Director of Psychology Training Children's Hospital-Boston "What an exceptional resource for educators, psychologists, and parents! It aids in our understanding of the insidious ambient circumstances our youth juggle daily while offering practical approaches designed to help us diffuse the monstrous enigma. This effective tool will afford us the insight needed to begin reversing the contrary trends consuming our young people."-Fannie Brown The Coming Together Project ?This book offers an in-depth look at issues and challenges affecting African American children in the 21st century.?-Adolescence "This book offers an in-depth look at issues and challenges affecting African American children in the 21st century."-Adolescence