Through the Lens of Race: Black and White Women's Perceptions of Womanhood

Abstract

The intersection of race and gender may create unique experiences for Black and White women in terms of work, family, domestic roles, and interpersonal relationships. Dissimilar gender-role norms may foster different perceptions of gender for these two groups of women. In the current study, we examined similarities and differences in Black and White women’s perceptions of their gender using qualitative focus group methodology and grounded theory data analysis. The results identified five themes that were common to Black and White women: Gender-Based Mistreatment, Perceived Advantage, Friendships and Community, Caretaking, and Work and Family Options. One additional theme, Inner Strength, emerged only for Black women. Although many of the broad perceptions of womanhood were similar for Black and White women, analysis of the content within each theme highlighted important differences. We discuss the results in terms of how they may reflect socio-historical factors, gender discrimination, stereotypes, and gender-role norms.

Relational Aggression among Female African American Undergraduates: An Intersectional Perspective

“…In a qualitative study, African American women did not spontaneously report relationally aggressive behaviors with the same frequency as their White counterparts did, however, the authors discuss cultural factors, specifically the ideal of the "strong Black woman", which may have kept the women silent (Settles et al, 2008). Although African American women did not spontaneously report relationally aggressive behaviors, several studies have found relational aggression to be problematic in adolescent and college student samples (Gomes et al, 2009;Williams, Fredland, Han, Campbell, & Kub, 2009).…”

“…In one study, a series of focus groups with Black women did not yield discussion of relationally aggressive experiences as they did in a similar group of White participants; instead the concept of a "strong Black woman" occurred frequently (Settles et al, 2008). Settles and colleagues reported that Black women consider strong Black women to be "defined as those who are self-reliant, able to withstand the challenges placed before them, and unwilling to depend on others to take care of them."…”

“…An additional facet of Black culture that may need to be considered in the assessment of relational aggression is the concept of the "strong Black woman" (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2009;Parks, 2010;Settles et al, 2008). In one study, a series of focus groups with Black women did not yield discussion of relationally aggressive experiences as they did in a similar group of White participants; instead the concept of a "strong Black woman" occurred frequently (Settles et al, 2008).…”

“…One preliminary study indicates that women of color either do not experience relational aggression as frequently as White women in their friendships or do not feel inclined to disclose the events as freely as other participants (Settles, Pratt-Hyatt, & Buchanan, 2008). Another possibility that has been proposed is that women of color do experience relationally aggressive behaviors in their relationships, but do not consider them as harmful as other participants (Crothers, Field, & Kolbert, 2005).…”

“…Stereotypes, such as the "strong Black woman" (e.g., that a strong Black woman endures hardships without complaint and provides emotional support for others without asking for it herself; Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2009), may be preventing spontaneous reporting of relationally aggressive behaviors experienced by women of color. After all, to complain would be to appear weak, a direct violation of the ideal (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2009;Parks, 2010;Settles et al, 2008). Closely related to the strong Black woman stereotype is the "angry Black woman" stereotype (e.g., that Black women are always angry and likely to respond with anger, even in situations that do not merit it; Parks, 2010), which may have mixed results when included within the context of relationally aggressive research.…”