Both internal and external factors help to determine the personality of the African American family. Personality traits of the African American family include adherence to historical values, diversity in family structure, and family communication. A review of the history of the African American family from its African roots to contemporary America is presented here.
The strength of the Afi-ican American family is tied to the ways in which its members perform, based on the needs within the family itself. In accordance with these needs, the family develops its own personality, which revolves around several aspects of socialization including family communication, role development, and family structure. In addition, many families of African descent hold on to behaviors originating in their Afiican past .
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Family life in Afi-ica was not only strong and powerful. but the family was also a religious and political entity that exerted great influence and was the center of African civilization (Feagin & Sikes, 1994). African heritage included strong men who were providers and protectors of the family. The father was the head of the family and the bloodline (Feagin & Sikes, 1994). According to Obudho (1983). the Afi-ican family was not without its problems, but they prospered under their own environmental conditions with their own language, culture, traditions, and values. All of this made them better equipped to deal with their problems. Vivian J . Carroll McCollum is an assistant professor in the Deparhent of Behavioral Studies a t the University of Missouri-St. Louis.