His study revealed 83 percent of elementary schoolteachers are women, while only 1.2 percent are black men. Lawrence Gary, educator and author of "Black Men," conducted a study in 1981 to determine how many black male role models exist for black children. Another problem in the schools is the lack of black male teachers, who can provide positive role models for black youths. "Black males are disciplined, expelled and suspended at higher rates than any other group because their styles of behavior are seen as disruptive and threatening by many teachers," he said. But he said teachers consistently give less attention, less praise and more criticism to black males, which diminishes their chances of educational achievement. Wilson said schools can significantly influence the future of its students. While providing positive role models in the community is important, good role models also are needed in the schools, they say. However, sociologists believe the responsibility does not end at home or with the community. They both had strong family backgrounds with positive role model images which helped them through the negative influences of society.
"I realized that drugs were not something that I wanted to do." But Gibbs and Bell seem more the exception than the rule among black men. "I'm a very observant person, and I had the opportunity to see what drugs did to other people," Gibbs said. My older siblings did not get that opportunity." Gibbs, 24, said he had to face negative peer pressures, but his strong moral background helped him through it. "I was the youngest and received a football scholarship to attend Wofford. "I really didn't have a choice on whether I was going to college because my parents wanted me to go," Gibbs said. He is a native of Seneca and is the youngest of 10 children. Fred Gibbs, a branch manager for C&S Bank in Spartanburg, agrees that morals are important in the development of young black men. Success means nothing unless a person has morals and values." Bell said while mothers are out providing for their families, black men in the community should provide black boys with positive role models who can guide them. "We are quick to blame people for the condition of the black male, instead of trying to solve the problem," Bell said. There were only a few who were doctors and lawyers." Today, however, Bell said black youths can see a larger variety of role models, but some them aren't necessarily positive because of the growing problems of drugs and accompanying crime. "When I was growing up, there was a variety of role models, and they were just strong, hard-working black men who provided for their families. "My parents always pushed us, and they instilled the importance of learning in us," Bell said. There were a variety of role models during his formative years which had a positive effect on him. He grew up in Thomson, Ga., in the late '60s and early '70s.
Tony Bell, 31, an administrator at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, agrees role models are essential. He said a combination of factors have caused problems for the black man in America, with peer influences and a lack of role models in the home being the greatest problems. "If young people don't have role models or something to aspire to, then there isn't much use to living." Wiles is conducting a study using local eighth- and ninth-grade boys to determine what influences their decision making and their outlook on life. "Role models live in direct relationship to our heroes," said Leon Wiles, dean of students at University of South Carolina at Spartanburg. Wilson believes, however, the situation has deteriorated, adding that his studies show an estimated 48 percent of the nation's black households are now headed by single females. He said those households - many welfare dependent - had relatively few male role models present. Reginald Wilson, educator and senior scholar at the American Council on Education, said that in 1980 about 30 percent of black households were headed by single females. And black households are where the shortage is most severe. There are too few positive black role models locally and nationally for young black men, according to black leaders. Positive role models to inspire young black men to succeed are vital to improve their self-esteem and image, but sociologists and educators say the absence of role models in the lives of an increasing number of black youths is making that goal difficult.
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