Brittany Bell, mother of three of Nick Cannon’s children, has earned her Doctor of Psychology degree from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.
While the achievement itself has drawn praise, it is the topic of Bell’s dissertation that has many people talking.
Titled Black Fathering and the Experiences of the Adult Child With Multiple Siblings From Different Women: A Phenomenological Study, the dissertation examined the experiences of Black adult males who share the same father but were raised by different mothers.
According to an abstract from the study, Bell sought to explore how the growing number of men fathering children with multiple women may shape the experiences of children as they reach adulthood.
Bell wrote that the research was partly informed by her own experiences as a Black single mother raising Black children. Cannon is the father of 12 children with six women.
“My curiosity about the dynamics of less traditional family structures, such as those where a father has multiple children with different women, stems from both my professional encounters in community psychology and my personal life experiences. This research held personal significance as I considered the implications for my own children and others in similar circumstances,” she wrote.
Using virtual interviews conducted via Zoom, Bell spoke with a sample of Black adult males who shared the same father but had different mothers. The study focused on participants whose fathers did not reside in the home.
The research revealed several recurring themes, including inconsistent paternal presence, emotional detachment, and perceived favoritism among siblings.
Participants also described what Bell identified as “oppositional fathering,” a pattern in which adult sons intentionally developed parenting styles that differed from those of their fathers.
Bell said the findings may offer valuable insight for clinicians, policymakers, and researchers working with families across a variety of family structures. She noted that a better understanding of these experiences could help inform future conversations surrounding paternal involvement, child welfare services, and family counseling.
The dissertation also included a sweet dedication to Bell’s kids.
“This dissertation is dedicated to my children, Golden, Powerful, and Rise, who are the heart of everything I do,” she wrote. “You are my reason, my grounding force, and my greatest source of strength.”
While she did not mention Cannon by name, she concluded with a message directed toward Black fathers, writing, “Black fathers, may this work empower you to know your impact and your value.”
