Wasserman, H. L. (1972). A comparative study of school performance among boys from broken and intact black families. The Journal of Negro Education, 41(2), 137-141.

The Sch achievement of 2 samples of boys were compared: In one set of fam’s the father was present, in the other one he was absent; total N=117 black Lc fam’s living in a low-income housing development with at least 1 son in Sch between ages 10 & 16. The father-absent category was defined as “absence of the boy’s natural father as a result of marital disruption without any M replacement during the most recent 3-yr period.” 45 fathers were present, 46 were absent, & 26 were put into a mixed category. Data here presented refer to the 2 ‘pure’ groups alone. The mothers of the boys were interviewed & Sch performance was analyzed from the records via a Sch achievement index. Presence or absence of father failed to discriminate between boys who did better or worse. Boys under 12 were more likely to perform at the higher levels in age appropriate classes than boys who are age 12 or over. 65.1% of those under 12 vs 85.1% of those 12 yrs & over performed at a level less than 6 on the Sch Achievement Index used. It is suggested that the explanation for low Sch performance of Lc black boys be sought elsewhere & not in whether the father is present in the home or not. The Lc black boy exists in an unrewarding, frustrating society & is thus extremely vulnerable. 1 Table. M. Maxfield.

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https://www.jstor.org/stable/2966806