Affirmative Action

I agree with Dr. H's assessment that slavery is one of the reasons so many black families have been torn apart and still suffer today, but I believe there are other factors that have caused distress. According to statistics from 1880 to 1925, most black families were nuclear families, and bi-parent households were dominant during slavery (Staples 271). Urbanization, industrialization, and government programs can be blamed for much of the disintegration of the black nuclear family today. Thomas Sowell has a great article on the history of 3 distinct groups of black people. He compares their histories and concludes that governmental programs have been both helpful and detrimental. In the end, he says that any program that encourages the educational opportunities and break down barriers to promote business are positive, but the encouragement of the welfare state that has made "non employment a practical alternative" to working are at the heart of the problems for black families today (Sowell 106). Sowell also believes that Affirmative Action has been one of the reasons for the continued problems of black people in America today while equal opportunity has been beneficial (106).
Question: Why are female headed households more prevalent that male headed households in the black community according to statistics gathered since 1950? Anna's blog prompted me to write this!