✍🏾: @jamilatdavis
As the growing numbers of Black girls experiencing depression and committing suicide increases, it’s important that we pay attention to the data about the trauma they face and learn preventative measures to support our teens.
Research around Black girls is extremely limited. However, @Dr.Ijeoma.Opara, a professor at the #Yale School of Public Health, has dedicated her career to researching and supporting the needs of Black girls across our country.
Per her study entitled “Feeling Invisible & Unheard: A Qualitative Exploration of Gendered-Racist Stereotypes’ Influence on Sexual Decision Making and Mistreatment of Black Teen Girls,” Dr. Opara and her colleagues find that Black teenage girls face a number of gendered racist stereotypes that can impact their decision making in romantic relationships, lower their self-esteem and leave them feeling powerless and invisible to others. The study used Black feminist thought as a guiding framework.
The researchers said the findings emphasize the importance of incorporating elements of Black feminist thought into prevention programming as well as providing Black teenage girls with appropriate tools and resources to challenge negative stereotypes. Support from adult allies in school (e.g. teachers and counselors) and family settings is also vital in helping Black teenage girls navigate these challenges during a critical period in their development.
“The burden of protecting Black girls should not be placed on the shoulders of… (Continued in the comments!)
