Black Mothers' Emotional and Behavioral Responses to the Sexual Abuse of Their Children (From Out of the Darkness: Contemporary Perspectives on Family Violence, P 80-89, 1997, Glenda K. Kantor, Jana L. Jasinski, eds. - See NCJ-171756)

• NCJ Number: 171761
• Author(s): C Bernard
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the responses of black mothers to the sexual assault of their children and the problems these mothers face.

Abstract

The research used a qualitative design drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 black mothers living in Britain whose children had been sexually abused. The article gives special attention to the intersection of race, gender, and class, and proposes that the concerns of black mothers are shaped by racism and gender oppression. The chapter focuses on key factors that affect black mothers' help-seeking and protective strategies, and on three broad themes that emerged as dominant factors for all the mothers interviewed: shame, isolation, and perceived powerlessness in their dealings with child protection agencies. Because the experiences of black mothers are qualitatively different from those of white mothers, these differences must be examined when intervention strategies are being formulated. Sensitive intervention strategies based on analysis of race, gender, and class will be more likely to result in interventions that do not vilify black mothers. Providing the right support for mothers will indirectly help their children in the recovery process. Note, references