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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NEGOTIATING THE DOMINANT SEXUAL SCRIPT: MIDDLE-CLASS BLACK GIRLS TELL THEIR STORY Philipia Lauren Hillman Facility of the College of Arts and Sciences of American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Chair: Bette J. Dickerson Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences American University Washington, D.C. 20016 uHZVuesity Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9939998 Copyright 1999 by Hillman, Philipia Lauren. All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9939998 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Aurn Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © COPYRIGHT by PHILIPIA LAUREN HILLMAN 1999 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated in loving memory of my grandfather Leon Jack Hillman Who always said, "You better get that education, Miss Flip. Cuz' they can't take that away from you!" and To my grandmothers Ella Holland Hillman and Ethel Mae Rivers who still lead the way Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NEGOTIATING THE DOMINANT SEXUAL SCRIPT: MIDDLE-CLASS BLACK GILRS TELL THEIR STORY BY Philipia Lauren Hillman ABSTRACT This research explores how middle-class black adolescent girls negotiate the dominant sexual script assigned to all young black girls. Basically, the black adolescent female sexual script is recognized as "promiscuous," "teen mother" and "uneducated." This racialized and sexualized script permeates and dominates the public psyche, social science literature, and legislative initiatives. Moreover, this monolithic script fundamentally excludes black girls who are not low-income, state-dependent and/or teen mothers. This study reveals how middle-class black girls interpret, experience and resist this dominant sexual script. In particular, it examines: How do they describe their sexual self-image? What characteristics do they find attractive in potential partners? How do they pursue and engage romantic friendships? This qualitative study is guided by a black feminist perspective that centers the experiences, language and adolescent culture of middle-class black ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. girls in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Employing the snowball and purposive methods, 61 girls between the ages of 15 and 20 were interviewed. The girls were asked to describe the sexual self-image, partner selection and romantic friendships of a stereotypical black girl whom they define as "ghetto" and how their experiences differ from this stereotypical girl. The girls in this study revealed that they are different and must negotiate the dominant sexual script and their own personal narrative to create personal and social equilibrium. They discussed how they have to keep a "foot in each world," in order to balance the stereotypical image and the one they create for themselves. Unlike most studies about adolescent female sexuality this study centers the non-coital aspects of sexuality and provides insights into the intricacies and complexity of middle-class black girls' femininity. ui Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Creator provides lessons in a variety of ways. Through this long, and at times, lonely process, the Creator taught me independence, patience and discernment. In that vein, all thanks and praises go to the Creator for blessing me with the ability to persevere and succeed. I am also deeply thankful to my family for their constant cheers and faith. I can never express how much the love and wisdom of my parents, Gladys and Philip, help guide me through this process. A special thanks goes to my brothers Phil Nice and Pete the Treat for always boasting about how special I am. I am also grateful and thankful to my soul-mate Walter whom also weathered this storm. I cannot forget the support of my sister-girlfriends — Psyche, Nzingha, Sheila, Joanne, Vanessa, Karon, Johanna, Michelle and Evita -- who continued to tell me "Girl, you can do it!" I also need to recognize the Queens — Marilyn, Carolyn, Mattie and Dr. Laveme Reid. I would especially like to acknowledge the work and support of each member on this dissertation committee, Bette J. Dickerson, Esther Ngan- Ling Chow and Gloria Young. A special thanks goes to the committee chair, Dr. Dickerson for her years of mentoring that led me to academic independence and self-reliance. I must recognize Dr. Chow for teaching me how to think like a feminist of color, and Dr. Young for knowing how to iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. center women of color. I would also like to acknowledge the American University community. Not only has the University provided me with financial support — the American University Ph.D. Assistantship and the American University Dissertation Award — but, introduced me to the world of academe and its potential. An extra special thanks goes to the black women in my dissertation support group. These women kept me goal-oriented, centered and sane. I would especially like to recognize the group's founder, Dr. Shireen K. Lewis, who critically and lovingly read every word of this dissertation. Thanks also goes to my PBGC family and co-workers, especially Mildred, Casandra and Jane who allowed me the flexibility and support to complete this journey. Finally, I give thanks to the girls for sharing their private thoughts and actions. It is my hope that these girls did not share in vain, and their narratives will help us all understand. I also recognize the sister-scholars who paved the way for this research, and help create a place where our voices can be accepted, heard and documented. Moreso, I thank the women who gave us voices to record, the ones who wouldn't be still, the ones who wouldn't be quiet, the ones that had a story that had to be told. v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................... iv Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 1 2. THE DOMINANT SEXUAL SCRIPT AND BLACK MIDDLE-CLASS ADOLESCENT GIRLS .................. 12 3. THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................ 54 4. UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL SELF-IMAGE ........................ 79 5. UNDERSTANDING PARTNER SELECTION ...................... 134 6. UNDERSTANDING ROMANTIC FRIENDSHIPS ............. 187 7. CONCLUSION ............................................................................ 226 APPENDIX A: ICE-BREAKER QUESTIONNAIRE .............................................................. 239 APPENDIX B: LTTANY ........................................................................................................ 241 APPENDIX C: CONSENT FORM ........................................................................................... 243 APPENDIX D: LONG INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ............................................................... 245 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)