Parasol I
Speaker(s):
Description
The stereotype of Black fathers as “absent” and Black children as “fatherless”—first introduced over 50 years ago—has, like many racial stereotypes, refuses to go away. In the movie Fatherhood (based on a true story), American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer Kevin Hart portrays a recently widowed Black father left to rear his newborn daughter after the sudden and unexpected death of his wife. This presentation considers the impact of PTSD in African American fathers after maternal loss during childbirth or within 42 days after pregnancy. During this time. fathers need to learn to navigate fatherhood while coping with the death of their spouse/partner. The sudden and unexpected death of a woman at delivery or soon after delivery is a traumatic experience for her family. Sadly, Paternal bereavement following the unexpected loss of a spouse/partner can lead to mental complications including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop following a stressful event. A sudden bereavement is a stressful event.
The presentation will address losses and the potentiality of PTSD in African American males after the loss of their spouse/partner. After a loss their challenges become three-fold. They must cope with the loss, they must deal with their grief, and they must care for the infant or child, possibly alone.
Objectives
1. Disseminate information on responsible fatherhood
2. Identify the influence fathers can have on their children
3. Discuss strategies for coping with loss of a spouse/partner
4. Identify challenges of fatherhood
5. Identify self-care techniques in response to loss and fatherhood