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Article
Kin Support Among Blacks and Whites: Race and Family Organization
American Sociological Review (2004)
  • Natalia Sarkisian, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Naomi R. Gerstel, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract

This article addresses two central debates in the scholarship on black families: the disorganization versus superorganization debate and the culture versus structure debate. Focusing on kin support as a measure of family integration and using the National Survey of Families and Households (1992-1994), this article challenges the assumptions about black and white families in both debates. It shows that blacks and whites have different patterns of kin support involvement. Whereas blacks are more involved in practical support (help with transportation, household work, and child care), whites report greater involvement in financial and emotional kin support. This article also shows that gender is crucial for understanding racial differences. Black men and white men are very much alike, whereas there are many significant differences between black women and white women. Furthermore, in understanding kin support, diversity within racial groups appears to matter more than race itself. Social structure explains most of the racial differences in kin support, though cultural differences between whites and blacks do exist and help to explain kin support.

Disciplines
Publication Date
December, 2004
Publisher Statement
doi:10.1177/000312240406900604
Citation Information
Natalia Sarkisian and Naomi R. Gerstel. "Kin Support Among Blacks and Whites: Race and Family Organization" American Sociological Review Vol. 69 Iss. 6 (2004)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/naomi_gerstel/12/