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Understanding Internalized Oppression in African American Young UNDERSTANDING INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION ON SELF-CONCEPTUALIZATION by CHRISTA F. ROBINSON (Under the Direction of Anneliese A. Singh) ABSTRACT This dissertation is structured in a non-traditional format enabling the researcher to seek journal publication in an effort to increase awareness and add to the scholarship related to young adult African American women’s lived experiences. Chapter One is the introduction. Chapter Two is a stand-alone conceptual article/manuscript with a comprehensive literature review. Chapter Three is a stand-alone qualitative study/manuscript including a review of the literature, findings, and references. Chapter Four contains an examination of researcher reflexivity, implications for future research with African American young adult women using a phenomenological method with a Critical Race theoretical lens. A phenomenological approach was used to document African American young adult women’s experiences and personal narratives related to how their self-concepts are shaped by how they manage the pressures that lead to internalized oppression. Using Critical Race Theory as the analytical framework, the researcher sought to understand the social and psychological effects of the phenomenon that is internalized oppression as it relates to the personal perspectives of African American young adult women. Critical Race Theory addresses the intersectionality of various forms of subordination like race and gender and challenges dominant ideologies (Solorzano & Yosso, 2001). The researcher examined the associations attributed to internalization of oppression and how it might navigate self-conceptualization in African American emerging adult women. This study was a response to the lack of scholarship that reveals, in their words, how African American young adult women digest the negative images, messages, and associations they are fed in this society. Even more, additional research in this area could increase awareness and the social injustices associated with race and gender that prompt psychological strains in African American women would be eradicated and the need to bandage and soothe wounded lives and spirits would diminish. INDEX WORDS: African Americans, Young adult women, Self-conceptualization, Identity development, Critical race theory, Qualitative methods, Emerging adulthood, Stereotypes, Internalized oppression, Intersectionality UNDERSTANDING INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION ON SELF-CONCEPTUALIZATION by CHRISTA F. ROBINSON B.A., Spelman College, 1994 M.Ed., The University of West Georgia, 2005 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 Christa F. Robinson All Rights Reserved UNDERSTANDING INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION ON SELF-CONCEPTUALIZATION by CHRISTA F. ROBINSON Major Professor: Anneliese A. Singh Committee: D e r y l F. Bailey Pamela Paisley Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia August 2011 iv DEDICATION For my Mama and Daddy, everything I am is rooted in your unconditional love and support. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am humbled and overcome with gratitude when I think of all the love and support that has ushered me through the years of this amazing journey. I thank God for renewing my spirit each and every day; for strengthening me when I became overwhelmed; for redirecting me when I lost focus; and for blessing me with phenomenal people who have enriched my life and this experience in a multitude of ways. A special thanks to my family and friends for their moral and emotional support. Your unfailing encouragement helped me reach new heights. Travis, my husband, I share this accomplishment with you. Your patience and care has meant so much. Thank you for being so considerate of the time and effort this took. Daphne, thanks for being the best big sister ever and for always being there when I needed you. Thenita, thanks for your help and your positive attitude. Many thanks to Dr. Mulanta Clark-Wilkins, Dr. Candice Norris-Brown, and Dr. Natasha Moon for being my voices of reason and for being my network of “been there, done that.” Thanks for checking on me and answering the phone when I called and helping me see the light at the end of the tunnel. Also, I have to acknowledge my little Reeses whose cuteness and adorableness could make me smile in the mist of chaos especially when he fell asleep on top of all the books and articles strewn on the floor. I extend much appreciation to my dissertation committee, Dr. Anneliese Singh, Dr. Deryl Bailey, and Dr. Pamela Paisley for investing their time and expertise into this project. I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to my major professor, Dr. Anneliese Singh, for challenging me to reach my full potential. I am truly grateful for your unwavering support, patience, and advocacy vi on my behalf. Your guidance and insight served as a much needed beacon of light as I traveled this arduous road to completion. Finally, I would like to express a heartfelt word of thanks to the extraordinary young African American women who participated in this study. Thank you for trusting me enough to share your stories. I am so overwhelmingly grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know each of you. You inspire me and I am filled with hope and excitement for your futures. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................v CHAPTER 1 RACE, GENDER, AND SELF CONCEPTS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADOLESCENTS .................1 Racism, Sexism, and their Influence on Self-Conceptualization .............................4 Intersection of Race/Ethnicity and Gender for African American Young Adult Women ...........................................................................................................5 African American Women and Self Conceptualization...........................................7 The Coping Resources and Resiliency of Young Adult African American Women .....................................................................................................................8 References ..............................................................................................................14 2 AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN AND THE COMPLEXITY OF SELF CONCEPUTALIZATION: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND A CALL TO THE FIELD OF SCHOOL COUNSELING .......20 Abstract ..................................................................................................................21 Introduction ............................................................................................................22 Comprehensive Examination of the Literature ......................................................29 Recommendation for School Counselors...............................................................43 viii Conclusions ............................................................................................................46 References ..............................................................................................................50 3 A QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF SOCIAL IMAGERY AND INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION IN AFRIACAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN .......................................................................................................60 Abstract ..................................................................................................................61 Introduction ............................................................................................................62 A Phenomenological Approach to Understanding Internalized Oppression in African American Young Adult Women ...............................................................70 Method ...................................................................................................................75 Participants .............................................................................................................77 Phenomenological Data Collection........................................................................84 Phenomenological Data Analysis ..........................................................................92 Discussion ............................................................................................................119 Limitations of Study ............................................................................................129 Future Research ...................................................................................................130 Implications for Practice ......................................................................................131 References ............................................................................................................132 4 CONCLUSION: A THEORECTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTION BASED ON RESEARCH CONDUCTED WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULT WOMEN ................................................................142 Personal Context and Topic Choice .....................................................................143 Phenomenology as a Research Method ...............................................................144
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