Room to Misstep and Move Forward? Black and White Men Finding Their Way to Manhood

• In Event: 537 - Regular Session. Masculinities and Intersectionality

Abstract

While social scholars tend to examine poor and disadvantaged young Black men in the United States, we know less about those who go to work everyday, take care of their families, and are not on probation or parole. This study sheds light on a diverse mix of African American men sharing their experience of finding their way to economic independence and successfully transitioning into manhood. To explore possible racial difference in experiences, we collected data from a comparison group of White men and found salient contrasting points in their journey to mainstream masculinity and adulthood. Our data reveal the continuing significance of race where African American men shared they had to navigate troublesome peers and negative stereotypes with few role models. Social networks assisted many successful transitions to manhood by many of the White men interviewed. Finally, the African American men we interviewed indicated that they had limited experience with these things, quickly got into legal trouble, or saw them as forbidden. Whereas most of the White men’s accounts of their paths to manhood incorporated statements about petty crimes, drugs and police interactions as part of growing up and finding their way, not as an obstacles that were avoided.

Authors

• Loralie Wiebold, Bradley University

• Phyllis L. Baker, University of Illinois

• Marwin Spiller, Illinois Central College