Navigating Gender and Community Violence: A Theoretical Perspective for Understanding Development of Black Adolescent Females

Background

Theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality, feminist and multi-dimensionality suggest that multiple identities and social categories related to race, sex, and class impact the everyday life experiences of individuals. Such negotiation may be unique for black adolescent females, thereby impacting developmental processes (Jacobs, 2017). Black girls experience sexual harassment at alarming rates. With popular culture’s obsession with matured body types, black girls find themselves a target for consistent sexual harassment, exploitation and assault. The prevalence of sexual harassment in the school settings has been explored. However, little is known about how experiences with sexual harassment and assault outside of the school setting impact black girls’ sense of safety, self-efficacy, and sexual debut. Furthermore, there is a lack of culturally appropriate theoretical grounding for understanding how black girls navigate their day-to-day lives. This study focuses on developing a theoretical perspective that details the mechanisms of the threat of sexual violence that shapes the development of black adolescent females as they navigate gender and community based violence in urban settings

Methods

Semi-structured, audio recorded interviews were used to discuss two key topics: 1) factors that contribute to the daily experiences of Black adolescent females and 2) perspectives others may have about black adolescent females. A case study approach was used to examine responses from a convenience sample of black adolescent females’testimonies and interpretations of gender and community based violence. The transcripts of the interviews, observations, and field notes were analyzed to determine themes and codes, where sub-themes suggested theoretical perspectives. Criteria of credibility, revisiting respondents about their feedback and assumptions, were used to address rigor and trustworthiness.

Results

Theme 1: Participants discussed how their body type regularly attracted unwanted attention. Participants suggested that no matter their response to verbal assaults, whether openly opposed or ignored, they often felt they were objectified based on the aggressive responses they received in return.

Theme 2: Participants also described the feeling of being objectified as a normal experience. While experiences with unwanted sexually-driven attention happened on their journey to and from school, participants considered these experiences as a regular part of everyday life. Though normalized, there was still some indication of embarrassment with these experiences.

Theme 3: Participants discussed the ‘Strong Black Woman’ narrative in the context of daily survival. Girls often described themselves as “independent”, “strong”, and “having to handle things on their own”. The girls connected these traits to their day to day experiences navigating gender and community violence in urban settings.

Conclusions and Implications

Identifying and describing the mechanism that entail a theoretical framework regarding the unique experiences of black female adolescents will add to our understanding of how effective racial and gender based services are delivered. In light of the recent #Metoo movement, understanding implications for how black girls normalize sexual harassment, may inform practitioners’ approach to working with and empowering black girls that have these experiences regularly. Services should be guided by theories that consider these girls’ experiences amidst volatile communities.