"The ""strong black woman"": an intersectional analysis of African American women's double bind"

Watson, Natalie

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/44441 Copy

Description

Title

"The ""strong black woman"": an intersectional analysis of African American women's double bind"

Author(s)

Watson, Natalie

Issue Date

2013-05-24T22:16:14Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Hunter, Carla D.

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Strong Black Woman/Superwoman
• double bind
• racism
• sexism
• qualitative

Abstract

African American women’s endorsement of the ‘Strong Black Woman’ (SBW) race-gender ideology has received recent attention given its association with harmful health outcomes. However, the ideology’s function in the lives of African American women has been under-explored. This study investigated the meaning, expectations, and role of the SBW race-gender ideology in the lives of African American women. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from 13 African American women who discussed the conflicting and competing messages or ‘double binds’ that African American women experience when internalizing the SBW race-gender ideology. Three double binds were identified: Be Psychologically Durable yet Do Not Engage in Behaviors that Preserve Psychological Durability, Be Equal yet Be Oppressed, and Be Feminine yet Reject Traditional Feminine Attributes. Each theme is discussed with respect to its function and its perceived advantages and disadvantages in the lives of African American women who face multiple stressors, including poverty, racism, and sexism.

Graduation Semester

2013-05

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44441

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Natalie Watson

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