Psychology

THE BOND is a classic work that covers a subject that has been examined many times over the past several decades. The subject of the book deals with issues related to absentee fathers in the African-American community. In particular, this work deals with the struggles and tribulations of three African-American men reflecting on how growing up in the inner city of Newark, NJ without a father in the home impacted their lives. What makes this work so outstanding is that in addition to the insight it provides, it also shows there is great hope that can be derived from overcoming the struggles and difficulties of such a childhood.

Far too often, issues surrounding the parent-child relationship are not examined from psychological perspectives. That is, the impact of such a home life on the psyche of the child is not effectively evaluated outside clinical texts. With THE BOND, we see a much more human face on the problem. This allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the how behavioral development occurs in such a home. This is not to say, however, that the end result will always be one that is negative. Rather, great hope can derive from the process.

Among the many positive themes put forth in the book is a clear evaluation of the development of self-confidence. It is true that growing up without a strong male figure in the home can undermine a young mans development. THE BOND does point out that many facets that are taken for granted in a father-son dynamic can play a vital role in a childs development. For example, having a father figure that teaches a son the ability to do something as seemingly minor as learning how to shave can have an impact on how the childs development is enhanced.

Partially, this is because when a child is not provided with the proper guidance of an older and more experienced adult figure, the child is left to figure things out on his own. This can prove problematic because the child lacks the world experience to make such decisions effectively. As such, the child will be prone to making scores of errors. This can lead to a number of problems with peers that undermines the childs ability to become self-confident.

There is a dark cloud that can hang over the head of a child when he is lacking self-confidence. He can end up being susceptible to peer pressure or may become a target of bullying. Neither of these aspects are good for the overall development of the child. That is why the negative impact of a lack of self-confidence should ever be overlooked.

Additionally, a lack of self-confidence can lead to a great deal of negative internal dialogue that lays the foundation for further personality disorder developments later in life. To say this can undermine the childs ability to be productive to himself, his family, and society in general would be an accurate assumption.

However, THE BOND does not present a bleak picture of hopelessness. In fact, with this particular work, it is the opposite that is true. This is a work that promotes notions of internal strength and fortitude. As a result, it twists a few of the common conventions of the relationships between a broken home and personality disorders on its proverbial head.

Far too often, psychological case studies of those that have grown up in single parent homes read like a potboiler crime novel. That is to say, the child ends up being sexually promiscuous, involved in a life of crime, or addicted to drugs. While such things do happen, there is also another side to the story. There are those  as evidenced by The Three Doctors  that use their difficult situations to rise above the problems they face and succeed in spite of such problems. Additionally, The Three Doctors succeeded to a far greater degree in life than others that had what is perceived to be a better home life and better financial stability. What The Three Doctors possessed that others did not was the drive, determination, and the will to succeed. Such are the character traits of strong, supremely confident individuals who are not suffering under the weight of personality disorders or other such psychic hindrances or obstacles.

It could be credibly stated that one of the main benefits of this book is that it exposes a number of myths surrounding stereotypes of inner city youths. Each and every day, members of the inner city grow into adulthood and become great successes. THE BOND is a clear illustration of this which is why it is such a seminal work. It does not wallow in the faulty logic far too many tales of inner city misery wallow in. No, this is a book of realistic inspiration and the triumph of the human spirit. That is why it remains such a valuable and vital work.

In terms of the mental health issues the men had to deal with, anger management would definitely be a major component. There is a great deal of anger and anguish one can feel when dealing with an absentee father. This anger can internalize into rage which could certainly prove to be a serious psychological problem.

Anxiety disorders can also develop in such a scenario. This could be considered a component connected to the aforementioned problem of anger management. It could also be a stand alone psychological disorder as well.

Depression certainly will rear its head and this is evidenced by a number of problems in which the men faced at varying points in their lives. Difficulties in life can be compounded by the feelings of despondency that are common when one feels alone or isolated. The lack of a father in the home would contribute to such feelings to a great degree.

While these problems do make their presence felt in the work, it is also important to point out that there are means in which one can effectively deal with such psychological problems. At the core of any psychological therapy would be to get to the root of the negative personality disorders the case subject may be facing. In many instances, it is a lack of awareness that not having a strong father figure in the home is the prime root of the problems. By making the subject understand such issues opens the door for properly and effectively dealing with the problem in necessary therapy sessions.

THE BOND remains one of the most helpful and inspirational books on the subject of dealing with life without a father in the home. While many texts on the subject are clinical in their approach, THE BOND brings three human faces to the subject and does so in a touching and brilliant manner.