Unpacking Strength: The Influence of the Strong Black Woman Ideal on African American Females’ Academic Functioning

• In Event: Roundtable Session 96
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Black Women Across the Diaspora: Reflecting Intersectionality in Practice

Abstract

In addition, there has been much speculation about the perceived strength of African American girls and young women but little examination of whether they endorse behaviors associated with strength (Evans-Winters & Esposito, 2010). The purpose of this study was to examine how endorsement of the strong Black women ideal influences African American female students’ academic self-concept and academic help-seeking. The participants for this study included young African American adult women (N=125) between the ages of 18 and 24. Preliminary analysis of the data shows that endorsement of the strong Black woman ideal contributes to avoidance of help in academic settings and instrumental help-seeking.

Author

• Lashawnda A. Lindsay-Dennis, Paine College