that emerged in previous research exploring Black women’s gendered racial identity. Across age groups (15 – 47), Black women consistently acknowledged how their experiences are intertwined, thereby leaving them particularly prone to discrimination, oppression, and stereotyping on the basis of their race and gender (Settles, 2006; Thomas et al., 2011). In this way women’s responses in the current sample align with that of previous research.
However, there are three ways in which responses from women in the current sample differ or enhance the findings of previous research on Black women’s gendered racial identity.
First, young Black women (ages 15 – 22) emphasized how the contrast between one’s Afrocentric features and Eurocentric standards …show more content…
First, the study included a large sample of Black women. Relative to previous research studies that utilized small focus groups (Settles et al., 2008; Thomas et al., 2011), the inclusion of over 200 Black women adds to the potential generalizability of the results. Second, the use of a mixed-methods design is a major strength of the study. The current study is the second (to the author’s knowledge) to assess gendered racial identity using both psychometrically sound quantitative measures and qualitative items. Previous research has solely relied on qualitative data (e.g., Thomas et al., 2011) or included single-items measures of gendered racial identity (Settles, 2006). The use of both types of instrumentation allow for the assessment of the significance and meaning women attribute to their identity--an research objective aligned with the assumptions of Black racial identity theory. Finally, the use of cluster analysis is a strength of the study. In contrast to previous research that used an “additive approach” (Bowleg, 2008, p. 314) as indicated by the use of statistical regression models, the current study used an analysis that allowed for the researcher to observe the natural assemblages among the data. Also, the study questions asked did not require Black women to rank their identities. Taken together, the research methodology makes for a more robust understanding of …show more content…
The limited variability among this sample in terms of social class (i.e., 24.2% endorsed a family income of $100,000.00; 80% reported earning a college or graduate/professional degree) and sexual orientation (90.8% identified as heterosexual) is a limitation. The study could have also benefitted from additional variability in terms of age. Though all age range groups (18 – 24 = 10.9%; 25 – 44 = 70.7%; 45 – 64 = 16.7%; 65+ = 1.7%) were represented, there representation was not equivalent to that of 2010 census data (18 – 24 = 9.9%; 25 – 44 = 26.6%; 45 – 64 = 26.4%; 65+ = 13.0%) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The lack of variability among the sample may lead one to question the generalizability of results to the larger population of Black women. Moreover, little variation in these demographic domains limits the researcher’s ability to explore how other facets of identity may inform women’s gendered racial identity. In particular, unequal numbers of demographic characteristics across clusters prevented the researcher from making statistically sound interpretations regarding cluster differences. A second limitation was the inability to follow up with participants regarding their qualitative responses because of the online survey administration design. In traditional qualitative studies, the researcher may pose a
However, there are three ways in which responses from women in the current sample differ or enhance the findings of previous research on Black women’s gendered racial identity.
First, young Black women (ages 15 – 22) emphasized how the contrast between one’s Afrocentric features and Eurocentric standards …show more content…
First, the study included a large sample of Black women. Relative to previous research studies that utilized small focus groups (Settles et al., 2008; Thomas et al., 2011), the inclusion of over 200 Black women adds to the potential generalizability of the results. Second, the use of a mixed-methods design is a major strength of the study. The current study is the second (to the author’s knowledge) to assess gendered racial identity using both psychometrically sound quantitative measures and qualitative items. Previous research has solely relied on qualitative data (e.g., Thomas et al., 2011) or included single-items measures of gendered racial identity (Settles, 2006). The use of both types of instrumentation allow for the assessment of the significance and meaning women attribute to their identity--an research objective aligned with the assumptions of Black racial identity theory. Finally, the use of cluster analysis is a strength of the study. In contrast to previous research that used an “additive approach” (Bowleg, 2008, p. 314) as indicated by the use of statistical regression models, the current study used an analysis that allowed for the researcher to observe the natural assemblages among the data. Also, the study questions asked did not require Black women to rank their identities. Taken together, the research methodology makes for a more robust understanding of …show more content…
The limited variability among this sample in terms of social class (i.e., 24.2% endorsed a family income of $100,000.00; 80% reported earning a college or graduate/professional degree) and sexual orientation (90.8% identified as heterosexual) is a limitation. The study could have also benefitted from additional variability in terms of age. Though all age range groups (18 – 24 = 10.9%; 25 – 44 = 70.7%; 45 – 64 = 16.7%; 65+ = 1.7%) were represented, there representation was not equivalent to that of 2010 census data (18 – 24 = 9.9%; 25 – 44 = 26.6%; 45 – 64 = 26.4%; 65+ = 13.0%) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The lack of variability among the sample may lead one to question the generalizability of results to the larger population of Black women. Moreover, little variation in these demographic domains limits the researcher’s ability to explore how other facets of identity may inform women’s gendered racial identity. In particular, unequal numbers of demographic characteristics across clusters prevented the researcher from making statistically sound interpretations regarding cluster differences. A second limitation was the inability to follow up with participants regarding their qualitative responses because of the online survey administration design. In traditional qualitative studies, the researcher may pose a