Making Black Girls "Ladylike" Discourages Achievement

[identity-X]

sadly, this is "news' to most folks...



WASHINGTON (August 7, 2007) – A new study shows that teachers tend to view the behavior of black girls as not "ladylike" and therefore focus disciplinary action on encouraging behaviors like passivity, deference, and bodily control at the expense of curiosity, outspokenness, and assertiveness.

Based on two years' observation at a Texas middle school, the Ohio University study found that teachers' class- and race-based assumptions of black femininity made them more likely to discourage behaviors and characteristics that lead to class involvement and educational success. The teachers' actions appeared to be less the result of conscious racism or sexism than an unwitting tendency to view the behavior of black girls through a different lens than that of their peers.

Among the findings of the study: black girls who actively sought out the positive attention of their teachers in class by asking questions were reprimanded by teachers, while boys and girls of other racial and ethnic groups behaving similarly were rarely disciplined in the same manner for their actions.

"As teachers, we are taught to encourage student curiosity and confidence because they're great indicators of academic engagement. If our own unconscious stereotypes are prompting teachers to 'correct' those behaviors in young black girls, school systems need to look carefully at including this problem of teachers' perceptions and assumptions in their diversity training," said Taneika Taylor, directorof the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition's Children As They Are program.

One reason why educators might emphasize "ladylike" behavio runfavorable to academic success has to do with their perception ofblack female students as prematurely adult -- particularly with regardto their sexuality.

“A lot of the females, especially Black females here, try to have some authority over me in class. I say to them ‘Uh-uh—I’m the only adult in here.’ But they think they are adults too..." said Ms. Duncan,a teacher at the observed school.

The study found that many teachers described black female students as too sexually provocative in dress and behavior, a finding consistent with a 2004 study which found that girls of color are pre-tracked for underachievement because of teacher beliefs that they are hypersexual and willing to invest more energy in their appearance than in academic pursuits.

"Young girls need to be encouraged by educators and parents to achieve and explore, not to curb their enthusiasm for life and learning in order to be 'proper ladies'," said Taylor.

Children As They Are supports parents and educators in creating environments that are safe for all children to express themselves authentically and explore all of their interests, talents, and feelings-- whether or not they're considered "right" for boys or girls. For more information, visit www.gpac.org/cata.

[NisLaniF]

Yo, x

Hit up the thread in my sig. I been waiting to hear your opinion. The one about Neo-Racist Tactics.

[menaz]

I say bring out the stripper pole and introduce them to their career in life.

But seriously These people don't think defernece,bodily control, and passivity go hand in hand with times of outspokenness, assertiveness, and curiosity? It seems to me it all goes hand and hand, there needs to be a BALANCE.

If you dress and act like a hoe whether white, black, hispanic, or asian, etc... You'll be treated like a hoe... Regardless of your vast talent, intelligence, or interests. Its a observational prejudgement.

Also authority doesn't like to be underminded by youths of any sort.

Also keep in mind this is just ONE school. I wounder how many studies point to different observations. And what color are the teachers?

[Botox_Billy]

because most black girls are mouthy whores...

[identity-X]

menaz just made a handful of assumptions about these students, assumptions based on nothing said in the article...

assumptions that are probably, in part, responsible for the different treatment of students

[Tequila Jong-il]

link to study or get the fuck outta here, coward.

[identity-X]

my university's library system is so dope....

"Ladies" or "Loudies"?: Perceptions and Experiences of Black
Edward W. Morris
Youth & Society, Vol. 38, No. 4, 490-515 (2007)

http://yas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/38/4/490 (abstract)
http://www.missouri.edu/~djedz2/490.pdf (full-text)

[iLL Rich]

guy who did the study was white

therefore biased

DISMISSED

[menaz]

Originally Posted by identity-X

menaz just made a handful of assumptions about these students, assumptions based on nothing said in the article...

assumptions that are probably, in part, responsible for the different treatment of students

You're rediculous. I didn't make any assumptions. I gave suggestions and told you how people in the real world operate.

I've got you pretty figured out. You just say something and hope it floats.
regardless of what anyone says.

Dam you dumb.

Why are you threatened by a man giving fair suggestions and asking questions?

[Tequila Jong-il]

Originally Posted by identity-X

my university's library system is so dope....

"Ladies" or "Loudies"?: Perceptions and Experiences of Black
Edward W. Morris
Youth & Society, Vol. 38, No. 4, 490-515 (2007)

http://yas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/38/4/490 (abstract)
http://www.missouri.edu/~djedz2/490.pdf (full-text)

WOW, this is why sociology is held in zero esteem by intellectuals such as myself. This piece of shit demonstrates, not the teachers supposed presumptions, but that the authors presumptions are so deep rooted they overwhelm what little useful information there is in this study.

This is best exemplified by his assertion that the teachers perceptions(that is, the authors perception of their perceptions) are potentially compromising black girls academic potential even though his own experience( he tutored girls who needed 'extra help' and during in the whole two years at the school never tutored a black girl) and figures(black girls outperform latina girls academically at the school, the author having previously pointed out that the latina girls are not pressured to be 'ladylike') contradict this assertion.

He also never countanences for the fact that maybe the teachers percieve black girls as more loud, disruptive and unruly because they are those things. Indeed, during the paper he makes observations such as "Black girls oftend disagreed with, or simply ignored, restrictions on their dress and behaviour" and yet still assumes the perception of the teachers has no base in reality and are merely stereotypes.

Lastly it is obvious that to determine inequality of treatment you must note different treatment of the same behaviour. The author, however, observes that black girls do act differently to other groups within the school. If black girls act differently then why is it much of a surprise that they are treated differently? Is it really black girls behaviour which is being disproportinately penalised? or is it that behaviour worth of penalty is indulged in by a disproportinate number of black girls?

ps - his contention that the teachers are trying to impose an ideal of femininity on the black girls seems to stem solely from one incident where a teacher admonishes two fighting girls for being unladylike. This is clear bullshit

[Tequila Jong-il]

Sonned into silence. Just like the last time these fags tried to trumpet some grievance peddling study.

[identity-X]

Originally Posted by Tequila Jong-il

Indeed, during the paper he makes observations such as "Black girls oftend disagreed with, or simply ignored, restrictions on their dress and behaviour" and yet still assumes the perception of the teachers has no base in reality and are merely stereotypes.

the point of the article would stand regardless of whether this is true or not



you'll get your reply. I'm in the midst of moving and dealing with someone who'se hacked my paypal, e-mails, and bank account and my time here is liimted. good times...

[Doc Holiday]

this thread is very interesting. the responses show how much animosity there is for black females. regardless of your opinion of why there is a problem, a problem is present. life is not black or white, its grey. every side need to take responsibility and fix there part.

[menaz]

Originally Posted by identity-X

the point of the article would stand regardless of whether this is true or not



you'll get your reply. I'm in the midst of moving and dealing with someone who'se hacked my paypal, e-mails, and bank account and my time here is liimted. good times...

Yet you had the time to tell us how he is wrong and how you have issues?

Your life is worthless.

[sagacious infant]

Originally Posted by Doc Holiday

this thread is very interesting. the responses show how much animosity there is for black females. regardless of your opinion of why there is a problem, a problem is present.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Leila Night]

Originally Posted by identity-X

The study found that many teachers described black female students as too sexually provocative in dress and behavior, a finding consistent with a 2004 study which found that girls of color are pre-tracked for underachievement because of teacher beliefs that they are hypersexual and willing to invest more energy in their appearance than in academic pursuits.

"Jezebel."