The character of womanhood: How African American women’s perceptions of womanhood influence marriage and motherhood

Ethnicities ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Chaney
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Black Feminist ◽  
American Women ◽  
Written Responses ◽  
The Family ◽  
Women’S Perceptions

This qualitative paper will focus on how black women understand and perceive womanhood, and will explore how black women’s perceptions regarding womanhood shape their attitudes and behaviours toward marriage and motherhood. Using a black feminist approach, I assert that black women’s perceptions of womanhood are not based on European notions as the family structure and experiences of African American women is characteristically different from that of white women. Further, I assert that African American women create a modified version of womanhood based on their education, social class and economic position in relation to black men, and which may, in turn, inform their decisions regarding marriage and motherhood. Specifically, I examine the written responses of fifteen African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (mean age of 32.6 years) regarding what is expected of them as women. Qualitative analyses of the data revealed that womanhood was defined in terms of feminine attitudes (strength, sensitivity and sensuality) and feminine behaviours (familial care, their own physical appearance and self-respect). In addition, womanhood was demonstrated through a woman’s ability to care for her home and to take the lead in the absence of male leadership. Supporting qualitative data are presented in connection with each theme. Recommendations for future research are also provided.

scholarly journals African American Women and Domestic Violence: Addressing their Voice of Silence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernice Kennedy ◽  
Chalice Rhodes (Former Jenkins)
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
The United States ◽  
Slave Owner ◽  
American Women ◽  
Strong Black Women

Abstract Historically, during slavery, the international slave trade promoted normalization of violence against African American women. During slavery, African American women endured inhuman conditions because of the majority race views of them as being over-sexualized, physically strong, and immoral. This perception of the African American women as being highly sexual and more sexual than white women results in slave owner justifying their sexual violation and degrading of the African American women. The stereotypical representations of African American women as strong, controlling, dangerous, fearless, and invulnerable may interfere with the African American women receiving the needed services for domestic violence in the community. The Strong Black Women Archetype has been dated back to slavery describing their coping mechanism in dealing with oppression by developing a strong, less traditionally female role. The authors developed a model: The Multidimensional Perspectives of Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence of African American Women in the United States. This model depicts historically, the factors contributing to domestic violence of African American women in the United States. Also, this model addressed the African American women subscribing to the Strong Black Women Archetype to cope with domestic violence. Despite the increase in domestic violence in African American women, they focused more on the issue of racism instead of sexism in America. African American women have experienced the two obstacles of racism and sexism in America. However, African American women and men believe racism is more critical than sexism. Therefore, domestic violence in the African American population may remain silent because of cultural loyalty. However, the voice of silence of African American females is gradually changing with the upcoming generations.

The African American Female Elite: The Early History of African American Women in the Seven Sister Colleges, 1880–1960

1997 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 718-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Perkins
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
African American Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
African American Female ◽  
American Women ◽  
University Archives ◽  
Successful Women

The Seven Sister colleges are well known for producing some of the nation's most successful women. At the turn of the century, they were recognized as the leading institutions for elite White women. In this article, Linda Perkins outlines the historical experiences of African American women attending the Seven Sister colleges from the institutions' founding to the civil rights era of the 1960s, a period during which approximately five hundred Black women graduated from these institutions. Through an exploration of university archives, alumni bulletins, and oral interviews with alumnae, Perkins shows that the Seven Sister colleges were not a monolithic entity: some admitted African American women as far back as the turn of the century, while others grudgingly, and only under great pressure, admitted them decades later. Perkins illustrates how the Seven Sister colleges mirrored the views of the larger society concerning race, and how issues of discrimination in admissions, housing, and financial aid in these institutions were influenced by, and had an influence on, the overall African American struggle for full participatory citizenship.

"Let's Do This!"

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne D. Dixson
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Elementary School Teachers ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Political Movements ◽  
Black Feminist ◽  
African American Teachers ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
American Women ◽  
Material Conditions

Historically, African American teachers have been actively involved in political movements that sought to improve the material conditions of African Americans. More contemporary examinations of African American teachers' pedagogy and, in particular, African American women's pedagogy, have found that these teachers have a decidedly political mission to their teaching. Some researchers have described these teachers' pedagogy as culturally relevant. Notwithstanding, there is a growing body of research that seeks to highlight how Black women, in various contexts, have participated in political activities and how their participation is part of a Black feminist activist tradition. This article examines how contemporary African American women teachers continue the tradition of political involvement and situates their activities in a Black feminist activist tradition. The data are taken from a qualitative study of two African American women elementary school teachers. The findings reveal that among other things, the teachers' pedagogy was inherently political.

African-American Women Journalists and Their Male Editors: A Tradition of Support

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-286
Author(s):  
Rodger Streitmatter
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
White Women ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Women Journalists ◽  
American Women ◽  
Sexist Attitudes

Black women journalists have not been hampered by the sexist attitudes of men to the same degree that white women journalists have been. Since this theme was introduced a century ago, individual case studies have continued to reinforce it. Gertrude Bustill Mossell, Delilah Beasley and Ida B. Wells were nineteenth-century women whose journalistic success was supported by their male editors; Marvel Cooke, Lucile Bluford and Ethel Payne have enjoyed similar relationships in the twentieth century. Factors contributing to this tendency are that African-American women have a tradition of working outside the home, that African-American editors historically have been both journalists and racial activists, and that male editors have tended to treat African-American women journalists much as fathers treat their daughters.

scholarly journals The Experience of African-American Women with Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 0000-0000
Author(s):  
Alexa Stuifbergen ◽  
Heather Becker ◽  
Carolyn Phillips ◽  
Shalonda Horton ◽  
Janet Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African Americans ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
American Women ◽  
Health Promotion Behaviors

Abstract Background: Despite growing understanding that African-Americans may have a more aggressive course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experience disparities in diagnosis and treatment, fewer studies have examined how African-Americans experience MS and its impact on their lives. This study explored the experience of African American women living with MS in order to inform future research and practice. Methods: Face-to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 African-American women. Inductive content analysis was used to identify major categories and sub-categories. Results: The analyses yielded three major categories: No one could believe I had MS; It's tough living with MS; and You have to keep going. Many women reported that the MS diagnosis was a surprise to them and their doctors because of the common belief that MS is a “Caucasian disease.” For this reason, many women felt their diagnosis had been delayed while their physicians initially focused on other diseases considered more typical in African-Americans. Living with losses related to social and family activities, independence and employment was especially challenging for them. Faith in God, coming to grips with the diagnosis and health promotion behaviors were key strategies for dealing with their MS. Women also spoke of pushing forward, working through MS challenges, and taking care of themselves, thus preserving their identity as strong Black women, a culturally important construct in the African-American community. Conclusions: Future research should explore the interactions of culture with coping strategies and the development of useful and valued resources and supports for African-Americans with MS.

Rearticulating the Leadership Experiences of African American Women in Midlevel Student Affairs Administration

NASPA Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah L Clayborne ◽  
Florence Hamrick
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Student Affairs Administration ◽  
Black Feminist ◽  
Administrative Positions ◽  
American Women ◽  
Resistance Strategies ◽  
Leadership Experiences ◽  
Relational Qualities

This qualitative study of African American women holding midlevel administrative positions sought to broaden and challenge conceptualizations of leadership by focusing on respondents’ descriptions of their leadership experiences. Findings centered principally on the intensely relational qualities associated with leadership and leading, mentoring and supervising, and the off-campus nature of most sources for professional support and validation. Tenets of Black feminist thought (Collins, 2000) were used to analyze aspects of respondents’ experiences in light of controlling images of Black women, resistance strategies, and empowerment for activism. Implications for research and practice include further explorations of culturally informed meanings of leadership and leading, as well as coming to broader understandings of professionals’ myriad definitions and fulfillment of leadership.

scholarly journals Rooted Pedagogies: Black Women Activist Teachers Planting Seeds

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Yvette Pierre
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
American Women ◽  
Cultural Frameworks ◽  
Activist Teachers ◽  
Black Women's Activism

The history of activism on the part of African American women has laid the foundation on which contemporary African American women activists and scholars have developed theories, critiques, and cultural frameworks that challenges pre- established paradigms and epistemologies. This paper focuses on extending the research that begun on African American teacher activists to gain sufficient insight into their political perspectives and how their perspectives were manifested in their personal and professional lives to influence their role as a teacher. This study was informed by black feminist epistemology and it employs portraiture as its research methodology. Data analysis yielded significant findings. The subjects of the study considered those life experiences to be most significant that contributed in developing their critical consciousness as children through the influence of their family, school, and community. Each teacher pointed to the need to teach critical thinking skills so that students of color will be able to establish their places in the world as productive citizens. The pedagogical approaches of the black women activist teachers were theorized and it emerged as a model of Rooted Pedagogies grounded in the historical tradition of black women’s activism. Furthermore, the implications for teacher education and practice were discussed, alongside with the recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations: African American Women Are at a Disadvantage

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 416-421
Author(s):  
Murray Rebner ◽  
Vidya R Pai
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
White Women ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
American Women ◽  
Younger Age

Abstract Since 1990, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 40% in white women but only 26% in African American women. The age at diagnosis of breast cancer is younger in black women. Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 represents 23% of all breast cancers in African American women but only 16% of all breast cancers in white women. White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer over the age of 60. Tumor subtypes also vary among racial and ethnic groups. The triple-negative (TN) subtype, which has a poorer outcome and occurs at a younger age, represents 21% of invasive breast cancers in black women but only 10% of invasive breast cancers in white women. The hormone receptor–positive subtype, which is more common in older women and has the best outcome, has a higher incidence in white women (70%) than in black women (61%). The BRCA2 mutation is also more common in black women than in white women (other than those who are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry). There are also many barriers to screening. Major ones include the lack of contact with a primary health care provider as well as a decreased perceived risk of having breast cancer in the African American population. Given the younger age of onset and the higher incidence of the TN molecular subtype, following breast cancer screening guidelines that do not support screening before the age of 50 may disadvantage black women.

scholarly journals Meaning of Pregnancy Terms Among African-American Women

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Solomon ◽  
Sandra Suther ◽  
Ivette Lopez ◽  
Alicestine Ashford ◽  
Linda Amankwaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
American Women ◽  
Planning Policy ◽  
Pregnancy Intendedness ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Recurrent Patterns ◽  
Descriptive Method

The concept of pregnancy intendedness is complex and may not bear the same meaning to all women. Moreover, researcher definition and women’s meaning were thought to be different. Some researchers have indicated that it is unclear how well women understand and relate to questions used by the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and how the classifications relate to women’s lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of terms such as planned and/or intended pregnancy among African-American women of childbearing age using a qualitative exploratory descriptive method. Although African-American women want children, they are three times as likely to experience an unintended pregnancy as white women. Data extracted from transcripts were coded and analyzed for recurrent patterns and themes. For this study, the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) was employed to frame interview questions and to interpret data. Findings suggest participants and partners often did not have the same perceptions or meanings of pregnancy planning or intentions. These findings have implications for research and family planning policy.

African American Women, Racism and Triple Oppression

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
Rajendra Prasad Chapagain
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Black Males ◽  
White Women ◽  
Black American ◽  
American Women ◽  
Black American Women ◽  
Sexual Repression

African American women have been made multiple victims: racial discrimination by the white community and sexual repression by black males of their own community. They have been subjected to both kind of discrimination - racism and sexism. It is common experience of black American women. Black American women do have their own peculiar world and experiences unlike any white or black men and white women. They have to fight not only against white patriarchy and white women's racism but also against sexism of black men within their own race. To be black and female is to suffer from the triple oppression- sexism, racism and classicism.

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