Objective: This paper examines Black adolescents’ experiences and views on the interrelationships between their families’ parenting practices and their wellbeing.

Method: The material is drawn from a community-based qualitative study on the health and wellbeing experiences of Black African families and adolescents. A total of 53 adolescents of Black African origin residing in a county in the north of England participated in the study. Data were collected by means of semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in participants’ homes and youth clubs. Data were subjected to thematic analysis with the aid of a qualitative data analysis software package.

Results: While the adolescents acknowledged receiving health-promotion messages from sources such as their peers and the media, they also identified the continued significance of their parents and family network in shaping their behaviours and facilitating their wellbeing. These included specific health-promotion messages such as not to use illegal drugs and cigarettes, and on the dangers and effects of excessive alcohol. In addition, the adolescents believed that their parents’ values, beliefs and child-rearing practices had helped them to cope with social discrimination.

Conclusion: Knowledge and understanding of Black families’ child-rearing practices, socio-economic circumstances and life experiences can provide health-promotion practitioners with sound background information for the design and implementation of specific effective health-promotion strategies directed at adolescents.