Alonzo M Flowers III. (2015). The family factor: The establishment of positive academic identity for black males engineering majors. Western Journal of Black Studies,39(1), 64.

This study represents a unique examination of identity development processes, particularly in its focus on the impact of the family unit and the establishment of positive academic identity formation and academic achievement for Black males engineering majors. The article examines the perceptions of eight Black male engineering majors at two highly selective universities in the South. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants who were identified by college deans and faculty members as being high achieving in their programs of study. This study explores the role of the family in the academic development of Black males and concludes that parents play a vital role as a continual support network for Black males as they navigate the educational process. The combination of high parental expectations, firmness, encouragement, support, and continuous follow-up is valuable in aiding African American males to find their way through the various levels of the educational pipeline.

Full article can be found here:

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=df729b25-8773-4dd6-9bea-07b6e011cefe%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=103197078&db=a9h