Book study guiding questions
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | “…we do not, and cannot present the narratives of low-income fathers [from] the 1950’s and 1960’s -- what some conceive as the golden age of family life.” What is meant by the term “golden age of family life”? Do you believe that people from all races/cultures would view the 50’s and 60’s as the golden age? (p. 17) | Compare and contrast two men portrayed thus far (Amin, Tim, John, Byron, Andre, Terrell, etc.). List at least one similarity and one difference. Why did you choose your particular duo? | At the beginning of the book, the authors refer to Bill Cosby and his condemnation of men who leave their children. (The inclusion and glorification of Cosby likely gave us all pause -- I had to look again and see when the book was written). Are there any other historical references -- either to people or events -- that didn’t sit well with you or indicate that this book is 8 years old? | On p. 67, the authors refer to the “rhetorical contrast of guns vs babies.” In your opinion, what is meant by this? Are there any other contrasts such as this one thus far in the book (either literal or inferred on your part)? |
| Week 2 | Choose one quote from this week’s reading that you found particularly poignant and inspirational? (Please provide p. # and give a brief overview of why this quote struck you) | “Thus, people need a strong reason - a stake in conformity - to abide by society’s rules” (p. 89). Do you believe that it’s only conformity which encourages us to follow societal rules? | Hirschi (p. 89 again) references “keys” to refraining from deviant activity. What are these keys? | In these chapters (esp. “Ward Clever”), we see several references to the “doing the best I can” mantra. How do the authors suggest this is a cop-out? Do you agree? |
| Week 3 | P. 137 “Lynn…in this role is hampered by too much clean living.” What does Ernest mean by this? Do you agree? | In Ch. 5, the authors allude to the fact that some fathers are preoccupied and over-focused on financial provision for their children. Why is this potentially a bad thing? | How does Erikson’s stage of “generativity vs stagnation” come into play in Chapter 5? | In Chapter 6, Holloway states that when one does not have custody of one’s children, the children do not respect the non-custodial parent. How did this statement sit with you? (p. 164) |
| Week 4 | P. 181: Consider Ray’s situation with Regina and David. What barrier (from our initial evening together when we discussed barriers) presents itself in this case? You may need to revisit our original power point slides… | Consider any of the barriers that we discussed on night one. Have you thought of any ways to break down these barriers in your classrooms (or in your contact with parents if you don’t have a literal classroom?) | P. 186: “Marty is one of many Dads who swore he wouldn’t be like his own absent Dad, yet has still managed to replicate his own Dad’s behavior.” To what kind of behavior does this quote refer? Do you see a pattern in the book as it relates to this quote? | Look at Tables 1−7 (Note that tables start on p. 232). List at least one stat that surprises you and tell us why you are surprised |
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | “…we do not, and cannot present the narratives of low-income fathers [from] the 1950’s and 1960’s -- what some conceive as the golden age of family life.” What is meant by the term “golden age of family life”? Do you believe that people from all races/cultures would view the 50’s and 60’s as the golden age? (p. 17) | Compare and contrast two men portrayed thus far (Amin, Tim, John, Byron, Andre, Terrell, etc.). List at least one similarity and one difference. Why did you choose your particular duo? | At the beginning of the book, the authors refer to Bill Cosby and his condemnation of men who leave their children. (The inclusion and glorification of Cosby likely gave us all pause -- I had to look again and see when the book was written). Are there any other historical references -- either to people or events -- that didn’t sit well with you or indicate that this book is 8 years old? | On p. 67, the authors refer to the “rhetorical contrast of guns vs babies.” In your opinion, what is meant by this? Are there any other contrasts such as this one thus far in the book (either literal or inferred on your part)? |
| Week 2 | Choose one quote from this week’s reading that you found particularly poignant and inspirational? (Please provide p. # and give a brief overview of why this quote struck you) | “Thus, people need a strong reason - a stake in conformity - to abide by society’s rules” (p. 89). Do you believe that it’s only conformity which encourages us to follow societal rules? | Hirschi (p. 89 again) references “keys” to refraining from deviant activity. What are these keys? | In these chapters (esp. “Ward Clever”), we see several references to the “doing the best I can” mantra. How do the authors suggest this is a cop-out? Do you agree? |
| Week 3 | P. 137 “Lynn…in this role is hampered by too much clean living.” What does Ernest mean by this? Do you agree? | In Ch. 5, the authors allude to the fact that some fathers are preoccupied and over-focused on financial provision for their children. Why is this potentially a bad thing? | How does Erikson’s stage of “generativity vs stagnation” come into play in Chapter 5? | In Chapter 6, Holloway states that when one does not have custody of one’s children, the children do not respect the non-custodial parent. How did this statement sit with you? (p. 164) |
| Week 4 | P. 181: Consider Ray’s situation with Regina and David. What barrier (from our initial evening together when we discussed barriers) presents itself in this case? You may need to revisit our original power point slides… | Consider any of the barriers that we discussed on night one. Have you thought of any ways to break down these barriers in your classrooms (or in your contact with parents if you don’t have a literal classroom?) | P. 186: “Marty is one of many Dads who swore he wouldn’t be like his own absent Dad, yet has still managed to replicate his own Dad’s behavior.” To what kind of behavior does this quote refer? Do you see a pattern in the book as it relates to this quote? | Look at Tables 1−7 (Note that tables start on p. 232). List at least one stat that surprises you and tell us why you are surprised |
Source(s): Appendix created by authors
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