Affirming the Ethic of Care: Considerations for Counseling Black Father Clients

Abstract Becoming a father has been described as a developmental (Shezifi, 2004) and existential (DeKanter, 1987) milestone in the lives of men. Additionally, fatherhood has been documented as an experience and identity that prompts more positive and healthy behavior among men (Garfield et al., 2010). However, Black fathers’ experiences and associated narratives continue to be under-researched and under-reported in professional counseling (Hannon, 2022), although McAdoo (1993) asserted that Black fathers assume similar roles to other fathers in families, including protector, provider, shared decision maker, child socializer, and partner/spouse supporter. The intent of this chapter is to amplify the voices of Black fathers and illustrate the ways they enact an ethic of care via their responsibilities to protect their families, provide for their families, and prepare their families for wellness and success. Recommendations for supporting Black father clients’ mental and emotional wellness will be provided that include leveraging culturally relevant theories and interventions and articulating next steps for research, practice, and policy concerning Black father clients.