An Examination of Male Black Care Providers and Public Policy with A Life Course Perspective

• In Event: 324 - Section on Race, Gender, and Class Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 11. RGC and Critical Analyses across Contexts

Abstract

Discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities leads to many preventable deaths in the United States each year. The current “covert-style” of racism that pervades most parts of the United States, including the health sector no longer discriminates on the basis of race, but instead is embedded in normal institutional operations, void of direct racial terminology, and invisible to most whites (Bonilla-Silva 2001). This paper provides an examination of black male care providers and how a life course perspective adds an element of analysis to their experiences. It details the gap between public policy and a renewed call for filial piety, as policymakers have underestimated serious flaws in the ability of families to meet the expectations or incentives of current programs. Additionally, it will also provide an analysis of discrimination and detail the potential problems by the intersection between public policy and filial piety. As the United States modifies its health policies in caregiving, it is important we address these issues so that discrimination and inequality are not leading to lowered health outcomes and we provide the support that is needed for male care providers.

Author

• Bryan Lagae, University of Miami