This study utilized a social constructivist lens to explore African American heterosexual men’s attitudes toward marriage and provide an understanding of how African American heterosexual men conceptualize themselves in the context of marriage. Focus groups were conducted with African American heterosexual men aged 24–34 years old from a large, metropolitan midwestern city (N = 17). Participants were asked how they felt about marriage, how they thought their peers feel about marriage, and the positive and negative attributes of marriage. Thematic analysis revealed several themes including struggles of Black masculinity, dilemmas within the Black male-female dynamic, and role confusion; resulting in personal ambivalence about their decision to enter into marriage. Findings suggest that their conceptions of manhood in the context of American racism is the pretext that plays a significant role in the decision to take on important roles such as husband. Using Powell and Mattis (2005) Relational Framework of Masculinity, I discuss how African American men’s conceptualization of manhood may contribute to how these men engage with significant life transitions, such as marriage. Suggestions for future research and practice implications for work with African American heterosexual men is also discussed.

这项研究利用社会建构主义的视角来探索非裔美国异性恋男性对婚姻的态度，并提供对非裔美国异性恋男性如何在婚姻背景下概念化自己的理解。焦点小组的对象是来自中西部大都市的 24-34 岁非裔美国异性恋男性（N = 17). 参与者被问及他们对婚姻的感受，他们认为同龄人对婚姻的感受，以及婚姻的积极和消极属性。主题分析揭示了几个主题，包括黑人男子气概的斗争、黑人男女动态中的困境以及角色混淆；导致他们对结婚的决定产生个人矛盾心理。调查结果表明，在美国种族主义的背景下，他们对男子气概的看法是在决定担任丈夫等重要角色时发挥重要作用的借口。使用 Powell 和 Mattis (2005) 男性气质的关系框架，我讨论了非洲裔美国男性对男性气质的概念化如何有助于这些男性如何参与重大的生活转变，例如婚姻。