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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Watson, Natalie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hunter, Carla D.

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

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Natalie Watson

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/44441