Faded fresh tapers and line-ups: Centering barbershop hair stories in understanding gendered racial socialization for black men.

Abstract

Hair and hair care are psychologically meaningful for Black men. This article illuminates the stories of Black men as they negotiate their identities by having their hair cut by others, in and outside of the barbershop. Nineteen stories from 14 Black men were elicited from prompts using the Guided Hair Autobiography. The findings reveal varied and complex hair stories, with primary themes of paternal rituals, Black community belongingness, and hair care distress. The findings suggest that Black men’s hair care spaces and the roles played by those who cut hair can become emotionally harmful or offer entry points into greater self-understanding and psychological wellness for Black men. A hair-based psychological intervention—PsychoHairapy—is offered as a framework to address wellness for Black men.

Hair Messages: A Context for Exploring Racial Socialization Among African American Males

“…More specifically, we aim to illuminate the introspection of African American men through racialized hair messages and meaningful hair lessons. Building upon the existing qualitative research of Mbilishaka et al (2021), we hope that these findings advance the work of previous studies by centralizing hair messages as a means of understanding racial socialization for Black boys and men.…”

“…Alexander (2003) describes a fluid, nuanced Black masculinity construction that is encouraged in the shop—one that is antithetical to stereotypical racist imagery too often portrayed in mass media. Others have found that Black barbershops can be prime settings where African American history discussions, social debates, paternal bonding, and community belongingness occur openly and organically (Mbilishaka et al, 2021; Shabazz, 2016). Indeed, researchers have grown to appreciate the social significance of Black barbershops as places of identity development and male socialization (Mbilishaka et al, 2021; Stevenson et al, 2021).…”

“…Others have found that Black barbershops can be prime settings where African American history discussions, social debates, paternal bonding, and community belongingness occur openly and organically (Mbilishaka et al, 2021; Shabazz, 2016). Indeed, researchers have grown to appreciate the social significance of Black barbershops as places of identity development and male socialization (Mbilishaka et al, 2021; Stevenson et al, 2021). Moreover, hair messages that are displayed outside of barbershops—at home, school, and throughout neighborhoods—are also critical to examine racial socialization processes for Black boys and men.…”

“It’s All About Just Creating the Safe Space”: Barbershops and Beauty Salons as Community Anchors in Black Neighborhoods: Crime Prevention, Cohesion, and Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Thus, while clients might initially seek their hair salon for physical care, research suggests one also visits the barbershop and beauty salon for socio-cultural connection, kinship, and refuge (Mbilishaka et al, 2021;Mills, 2013). Further, these locations are important for the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of Black men and women; an American population who have disproportionately faced a long history of oppression and disenfranchisement (Lemons, 2011;Wood & Brunson, 2011).…”

Academic Work and Leadership as a Black Woman: Interview With Loretta McGregor, PhD

“…Policies like the CROWN Act need to exist because hair care occupies consequential mental space in the lives of Black Americans. Black people are placed in a position where their hair care choices impact their quality of life (Mbilishaka, Clemons, et al, 2020;Mbilishaka, Mbande, et al, 2020). Fears of noncompliance of implicit hair texture and length rules impacts choices to exercise (Mbilishaka & Lacey, 2019) and even romantic relationship outcomes for Black couples (Mbilishaka, 2018c).…”