All people have a tendency to emulate what they see most. Unfortunately, what most of our children (of all races) are seeing is degrading. Everyone makes fun of the old family shows, but today’s TV seems to show nothing but the violent and obscene side of life, because it sells. When young people view this type of behavior on TV they begin to think it is the way it is and the way it is suppose to be. Unfortunately, a family’s influence on their children ends at about age ten—if that long. Their friends and the media have a greater affect on them after that.
Many black children come from broken families and poverty. Their family’s top priority is day-to-day hand-to-mouth survival. It’s hard to imprint your children with a vision of success in that environment. This is especially true when the media continues to show only the low side of life to the vast majority.
2006-10-30 02:41:39
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answer #1
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answered by damdawg 4
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Your statement is something of a generalization since there are thousands of black lawyers, doctors and business people. But you are right that many black kids have difficulty identifying with people in those professions. I think it has to do with the lack of role models in their lives. The images of rappers and sports stars are projected all over the media as the image of black success and kids know how to rap or play ball, so they can see a straight (if highly, highly unlikely) path between where they are and that goal. It's more difficult to see the path to, say, law or medical school if no one you know has actually taken that path.
It is amazing how easily people will follow even the most difficult career path if they know others with whom they identify who've done the same and succeeded.
So I think the absence of role models that kids know on a personal level is the biggest reason. The most encouraging thing is that once a person or family does make the transition to becoming a well educated professional, their children and succeeding generations seem overwhelmingly likely to do the same.
2006-10-30 02:44:54
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answer #2
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answered by Rob B 4
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We as Americans of African descent have few positive Visual Role models today. In a society that is wealth oriented folks gravitate towards the people that have the most visual wealth and prestige.
I blame a lot that is going on squarely on the one eyed babysitter, TV, and the fact that our society makes it necessary for both parents to work or cause single parents to work twice as hard to support their families. Lets face it if you are bone tired you are less inclined to care what your kids are watching.
We as a society need to care more about wealth we can't see, like integrity, honesty, loyalty, common sense, a willingness to help others and a drive to want to be something better than the generation that can before.
2006-10-30 03:14:05
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answer #3
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answered by Black Dragon 5
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I agree it is an adolescent thing. Many kids are just trying to figure out how to fit in. It is a phase for most. However the parents have to be involved and encouraging their children to excel. One problem I see for the black youths is hate mongers like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton blaming all the young black problems on others. These two jerks should be empowering black youths to stand up for themselves and reach for the stars rather then telling them they are 'victims'. Of course if they did that, the two of them would be out of a job.
2006-10-30 02:47:02
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answer #4
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answered by Cherie 6
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i don't understand it either! and it pisses me the **** off. My cousin is currently dating a black guy that my whole family dis approves of.. .yes we are black! they don't disapprove of him because he is black but b/c he has no goals in life, smokes weed all day and has no job. my cousin is so blind that it pisses me off. when asked what he wants to become he says he wants to be a rapper! my cousin is so ok with it and it bothers me. i think black boys in particular need good examples of black role models! also they need to learn to get rid of the idea that being a lawyer or doctor and going to college makes you a sell out! you don't know how many times I've heard a black boy or man say that! and it frightens me. i hate to say this but i DO think that rap music has a major impact on this behavior. its no coincidence that there is a significantly greater amount of black women in college than black men. the stereotypes of black men will never end if something is not done to help black youths.
2006-10-30 02:41:31
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answer #5
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answered by ponypuffgirl 2
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All young people do this, their parents or guardians let them dress how they want, let them talk how they want and whatever else they want to do is ok with them, it beats having to take responsiblily for the life of another( even if you are responsible for them). It is ok to have a kid, just not raise them to be anything but a piece of you know what.
2006-10-30 02:35:24
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answer #6
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answered by picture 1
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I see plenty of black professionals in life. I can only hope that the young of any rethnicity see them as role models.
2006-10-30 02:34:59
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answer #7
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answered by kent_shakespear 7
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Lack of a good role model in their life.
2006-10-30 09:25:20
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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I think it all starts at home, if they don't have guidance they might have the tendency to copy because they don't know any better. Goes for any kid!
2006-10-30 02:26:31
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answer #9
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answered by HereweGO 5
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yep I see it all the time.
But the problem is not RACE limited more of an adolescences problem.
The problem spurs from poor parenting.
2006-10-30 02:32:25
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answer #10
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answered by That GUY 2
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