ABSTRACT
The Moynihan Report was a politically directed document designed to alert high Administration officials to coming dangers and to prepare them for the evident policy recommendations to follow. Moynihan apparently reasoned that the policymakers could be convinced of the need for these policies by appealing to a value widely held in America—family stability. The Moynihan Report generated a lot of controversy over the desirability of the matriarchal family. As matters stand the only available choice beyond having mothers head families is no families at all. Many employed Negroes do not make enough to support a family at minimal levels. The usual approach of social scientists is to isolate race by comparing the behavior of Negroes and Caucasians with various factors such as education and income held constant. Treating Negroes better than whites—discrimination in reverse—appeared difficult to sell to politicians and voters alike.
