How to Raise African American Boys to be Successful

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By Angela Williamson
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A successful man.

A large percentage of African American boys are going to prisons, instead of going to college or opening their own businesses. It is time to get African American boys back on track and unleash their potential. This is must read for anyone raising African American boys.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Willing to break old negative stereotypical social belief patterns that kept Black men back.
Stop making excuses and blaming White people.
Be proactive in dealing with racism.
Taking advantage of opportunities and education for your sons.
Unite as a family again.

Step 1

Value education

African American males should be encourage to value their education early.

Take an interest in what the child is learning in school by asking questions, asking to see homework, and taking trips to the library. It is important to attend teacher/ parent conferences to discuss progress or improvement in his education. Let him know that you value education and explain why. Teach him how to behave in school and respect the teachers. Discuss the consequences and struggles that African American had without an education.

The child should be encourage to read Wall Street Journal, Black enterprise magazine and etc.
Step 2

African American history.

Have the child study his own heritage and take pride in the accomplishments that many African Americans made in America. Teach him self love and self respect. Demonstrate a loving and accepting attitude of your son.

Discuss the negative and positive messages in Hip Hop music with him. Talk to him about racism in America and how be proactive about it.
Step 3

An honorable father and husband.

Teach him to value family and to be responsible.

He should be taught to seek and value marriage, if he wants children. It important to teach him to respect and value women. Boys need to be taught how to be good fathers and honorable husbands. A father who is honorable and respectful can demonstrate this to his son by his actions, as well as teaching him. A single mother can have a good male role model around to teach her son how to be an honorable man, if the father is absent or is not honorable.

Teach him how to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of himself mentally and spiritually. Talk about sex and it consequences. Teach him how to respect his body by not sleeping around with a lot of girls.

It is important not to do chores for teenage boys. Many mothers make this mistake. Teach them how to take care of themselves. They should be able to wash their own clothes, clean up after themselves, prepare a meal, and learn how to handle finances.

He should be taught about checking accounts, credit cards, and saving money. Teach him about life insurance, wills, and IRAs for the future. Many schools have started financial literacy classes. Encourage him to volunteer for a corporation or an organization to learn skills to open a business or to work in management.

Have him work around the house or get a part time job to earn money.
Step 4

A child reaching for his goals.

Be aware of who is hanging around your son. If his friends are negative and are into gang banging, stop the association immediately. Encourage him to hang around kids who want to be successful in life and are taking the necessary steps. They must also have morals and integrity. Remember the saying, "birds of a feather, flock together".

Have your son write down goals that he want to accomplish when he grows up. Give him support. Seek a mentor to help guide your son in field he wants to succeed in.

Talk and discuss what's going on in each other lives on a daily basis. Most importantly, love one another.

Comments

sforeman32 said

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on 6/16/2009 I am struggling now with my 13 year old. I also have a 9 year old.

Hence, thank you so much for exploiting this vehicle to write about something that needs dire attention.