Rethinking the Notion of “Hostility” in African American Parenting Styles

Abstract

African American parenting strategies are important in the development of prosocial behavior and are linked to empathy, self-efficacy, and racial identity. This study examined how adolescent-perceived parenting strategies (i.e., warmth, “hostility,” cultural socialization) combined to form parenting styles and how these related to positive outcomes. Participants were 358 low-income, urban southern African American high school students. Cluster analyses revealed four distinct parenting styles. Findings provide evidence that Eurocentric norms are inadequate for understanding socialization in African American families. Results indicate that a rethinking of what constitutes “parental hostility” is required. Implications, future research directions, and clinical application are discussed.