Self in Community: African American Women's Views of Self-Esteem

A Longitudinal Study of African American Women and the Maintenance of a Healthy Self-Esteem

“…Recent research solidifies the notion that Black girls, adolescents, and women have high levels of self-esteem (Crain & Weisman, 1972;DeFrancisco & Chatham-Carpenter, 2000;Hoelter, 1983;Myers, 1975Myers, , 1980Richman, Clark, & Brown, 1985;Rosenberg & Simmons, 1972;Turner & Turner, 1974, 1982. Somehow, in constructing their lives, Black females have developed implicit attitudes and explicit behaviors that enable them to possess internal sources of self-esteem that are socially rooted (Gibbs & Fuery, 1994).…”

“…In these women's lives, community enhanced self so that the women formed healthy self-esteem while maintaining interconnectedness with other Black women (DeFrancisco & Chatham-Carpenter, 2000). Because Black women often define themselves in terms of significant relationships (Gibbs & Fuery, 1994), Black women with strong support networks acquire the tools necessary to develop positive self-images.…”

“…But again, it is within their interpersonal environments where Blacks make the crucial comparisons that build self-esteem. DeFrancisco and Chatham-Carpenter (2000) found that African American women develop self-esteem through intergenerational transmission, primarily from their mothers. They found that African American mothers purposely teach young Black girls how to be resilient when they encounter demeaning onslaughts to their womanhood.…”

Widening the gap: Support gaps in same race versus different race female friendship dyads

“…Historically oppressed racial groups tend to seek support from confidants of their same race because these relationships help mitigate feelings that accompany identity-related stress, such as isolation, invalidation, and marginalization. For example, DeFrancisco and Chatham-Carpenter (2000) found that Black women value other Black women as sources of support because they have the cultural capital to address stress related to gendered racism. Interactants of the same race may also attach familiar meanings to communication behavior and uphold similar beliefs, customs, and traditions (Hecht, Jackson, & Ribeau, 2003).…”

“…Race is another source characteristic that encompasses interactants' personal, social, and political experiences and shapes the connection they perceive within a relationship (Omi & Winant, 2014). Prior research demonstrates that a shared racial identity reflects a high level of safety, trust, and empathy (e.g., Davis, 2015;DeFrancisco & Chatham-Carpenter, 2000). Receiving support from a racial outsider, 1 in contrast, might complicate supportive interactions due to discrepant perceptions of effective support and sustained tension between racial groups in the U.S.…”