Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl?: The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women

By Jonetta Rose Barras

Book Overview

What happens to a little girl who grows up without a father? Can she ever feel truly loved and fully alive? Does she ever heal--or is she doomed to live a wounded, fragmented life and to pass her wounds down to her own children? Fatherlessness afflicts nearly half the households in America, and it has reached epidemic proportions in the African-American community, with especially devastating consequences for black women. In this powerful book, accomplished journalist Jonetta Rose Barras breaks the code of silence and gives voice to the experiences of America's fatherless women--starting with herself. Passionate and shockingly frank, Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl? is the first book to explore the plight of America's fatherless daughters from the unique perspective of the African-American community. This brilliant volume gives all fatherless daughters the knowledge that they are not alone and the courage to overcome the hidden pain they have suffered for so long.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345434838
• ISBN13: 9780345434838
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Random House Group
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A must-read for African Americans of both genders

I was moved to seek out this book when, during a black male discussion group session, it dawned on me that nearly every woman in my immediate family had either poor or non-existent relationships with their biological fathers, whether due to divorce, premature death, substance abuse, lack of marital connection to the mother or other causes. This includes my mother, two sisters, two sisters-in-law, three maternal aunts, former wife, current wife and two of my three daughters. Nearly all of them have exhibited the life-choices and behavior patterns identified in Barras' book. As Barras' book illustrates, the implications of this echo beyond isolated, individual women and are clearly multigenerational, affecting black men as well. I found Barras' book to be eyeopening and extremely helpful to me as a son, brother, husband and father seeking to better understand and relate to the women in my life. With all due respect to Mr. Mingo's less-than-glowing review (I, too, am a journalist; the last time I checked, it was a professional, not amateur, pursuit), Barras' insights, observations and personal experiences combine to make an eminently credible and thought-provoking book, with practical, realistic solutions for our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. I bought copies for several women in my family. All did not choose to read them; those who did benefitted immensely and recommended the book to others. A great companion book to this is "More Than Sex: Reinventing the Black Male Image" by Dr. George Edmond Smith.

I Never Thought...

I didn't give as much thought as I should have about growing up without a father or reliable father figure. Yet while reading this book, I saw many of my realities on the pages. Regardless of a societies cultural practices, every adult and child has a role to play and when it is compromised or ignored, the social structure falters. That's what Barras was talking about. Every fatherless woman won't have the same experiences, but most must admit that their view of the world is markedly different from women who grew up with positive influences from both parents regardless of their marital status. Clearly some of us adapt better than others, but Barras's theory has merrit.

Thank You Jonetta

I would like to re-iterate what a joy and a healing it has been for me reading "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl" by Jonetta Rose Barras. This book has literally captured my insecurities, made me admit to them, look deep into myself about where they came from, and encouraged me to know that I can come from it all and be a complete woman. I would like to encourage anyone to read it, even if you grew up with your father, because we need to know how to edify our sisters and provide that understanding for that sister that may not have had it as well as you have. I'm already thinking about starting a group in my church for women my age, who may be going through these situations and suffering silently because they feel no one understands. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I have said enough.GOD BLESS,Tamara

Get ready to rock your world

As a child of divorce, I never realized the impact on my adult life that being "Fatherless" had on me; I never thought my Fatherlessness was much of an issue. While reading this book, however, there were times when I nodded as Jonetta took me on her journey, and cried as her path shone light on my own. If you've prided yourself, as I have, on being a strong, independent woman, but find that deep down you shy away from true intimacy and committment in your relationships; then I urge you to read this book! For the first time I feel like I can address the SOURCE, and not just the symptoms. Thank you Jonetta for a truly enlightening read. I've sent copies to my 'strong, independent girlfiends'; I think we'll have a lot to talk about.

Honest and Enlightening

I didn't expect this from Rose Barras. I didn't expect this weave of raw honesty, courage, and insight. From the opening passage I was caught up in the grip of a masterful story-telling style that she couples with an honesty that invites the reader to open the closets of their troubled existence and tear out the tattered garments. It's mind opening. It's inspiring. It answers questions that I've asked for decades as a troubled mate and a separated father embroiled in perplexing relationships with women and my own daughter. It poses new, troubling questions about the impact on the social process of paternal absence from the lives of future mothers and wives. I suspect that WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL will become a must read in psychology classes and book clubs all over. I'm sending copies to some of the women whom I love, and to some whom I have tried to love. D. Edward Dyer