The Ties That Bind: Timeless Values for African American Families [Hardcover]

Joyce A. Ladner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0471199532 | ISBN-13: 978-0471199533 | Edition: 1

"Dr. Joyce A. Ladner brings profound insight to the challenge of raising strong children in ambivalent times, and offers abundant reasons to rejoice in renewing family ties. A treasury of time-tested virtues." -Bookpage

"[A] wonderful guide . . . . Ladner has taken words of wisdom from generations past to help parents, teachers, and clergy with new insight into instilling pride, courage, and self-esteem in African American children." -Booklist

"A book full of lessons on restoring important values to African American families. . . . [Dr. Ladner] weaves together historical and contemporary issues to offer innovative ways to reconnect the black family." -Ebony

"A practical guide for today, and for a better tomorrow. If you care about African American people, then you must read this book." -Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Emory University

"A crucial template for parents, youth workers, educators, and community groups working closely with young people." -Hugh B. Price, President, National Urban League

"A masterpiece of scholarship." -Andrew Billingsley, University of South Carolina

"An inspirational and compelling book. Everyone committed to preserving African American values should read it. . . . A must for your home library." -Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., Harvard Medical School

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

To suggest values for raising children today, Ladner draws on her own Mississippi childhood as well as her experience as a black sociologist at Howard, where she has served as president.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

The Ties That Bind How do we strengthen our children’s souls? How do we fortify them with a sense of obligation, hope, faith, trust, and a burning desire to achieve? In this wise and important book, you will discover unlimited answers that are yours for the taking—the keys to raising children with strong values and a positive sense of purpose and identity. Today’s children—many of them blessed with more material wealth and education than any generation before—greet the world with a sense of uneasiness at best, and, at worst, a sense of despair. In The Ties That Bind, Dr. Joyce Ladner, an eminent sociologist, shows how we can empower more children with the self-confidence that will sustain them throughout their lives. Keeping the promise of her own tradition-rich Mississippi upbringing, Dr. Ladner passes on the timeless treasure of African American values. A leading scholar and activist, she reveals how each generation taught the next a vital set of lessons in values. Drawing insight from everyday heroes, family stories, and personal experiences as a mother of a growing son, she brings those lessons to life and shapes them for our times. Step by step, she teaches the authentic principles of the historic black value system. Finally, she demonstrates how you can pass on this legacy in a way that children will absorb through dozens of simple, everyday activities for home, church, school, and community life. The Ties That Bind will help you give your children the foundation they need through their growing years and beyond. Let this enriching book with its healing lessons guide and nourish your family.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471199532
• ISBN-13: 978-0471199533
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,075,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly written, thought-provoking and seminal volume, March 2, 1999

By 

Gwendolyn A. Magee (Jackson, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ties That Bind: Timeless Values for African American Families (Hardcover)

"I just don't understand..." is the lament I've heard muttered over and over by the family and friends of many middle-class youth who have gotten into serious trouble in school, with the law, with drugs or who just seem to flounder hopelessly without any sense of direction. Whether this comment is uttered in reference to someone who is in his or her early teens or who is a young adult, a common thread exists. Invariably, the youth are bright and have parents who have gone to great effort and considerable expense to provide every social, cultural and economic advantage they could afford for their offspring.

In The Ties That Bind, Joyce Ladner has bored right to the core of the problem. She has identified the critical mistakes that we have made in our drive to provide our children with everything. What we have not always provided, though, are those "timeless values" that our parents drilled into us. In this dynamic book, Dr. Ladner doesn't just point out the problem - drawing on her own experiences, she has been able to supply concrete examples and explicit directions for raising self-assured and fully functioning youth. This is a must-read book for every parent!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Joyce Ladner's book is a must read for all parents., May 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ties That Bind: Timeless Values for African American Families (Hardcover)

Dr. Ladner's book is an excellent presentation of ways to keep the family together. The traditional values that families imparted many years ago are essential today and must be called upon to deal with the negative impact of environment. This scholarly written book is inspirational and compelling. Dr. Ladner has effectively outlined strategies to help all parents deal with the difficult task of being a parent. I would encourage all parents to purchase this book and share the many lessons with family members and children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!, July 22, 2000

By 

Luv2Read "imareader2" (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ties That Bind: Timeless Values for African American Families (Hardcover)

"The Ties That Bind" is an exemplary book. It is filled with rewarding guidelines that should be used daily. "The Ties That Bind" is a drawing force to what once was an accepted way of life and guidance in our families.

Dr. Ladner has touched upon some important aspects in the rearing of our children. As Proverbs 22:6 notes, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

For those who read "The Ties That Binds," you will understand that indeed there are values in life and we should want to instill these worthwhile values in not just our children's lives, but we should make sure they are embedded in our own lives.

"The Ties That Bind" is a rewarding book. It is a book worth reading. A book worth sharing with our friends and loved ones. "The Ties That Bind" is extraordinary!