Are you a self-identified Black woman? We want to hear from you! The OSOV Project was developed to better understand Black women’s life experiences, political, and social attitudes. Learn more at ourstoryourvoices.com
Social identities are important ways in which individuals and groups construct ideas of themselves and relationships with others. Recently, studies show that the component features of race, such as skin color, facial structure and hair texture, are important factors that differentiate how Black-identified people are perceived and evaluated by others. Yet identity-relevant features of race […]
Caring is work. And most of the caring labor in the United States – both formal and informal – is done by women of color. Yet formal caregiving practices and fair labor standards – which disproportionately impact lower-income women and women of color – are given little attention in discussions of care policy. Furthermore, the current division of formal and informal care prevents the development of effective solutions for caregiver health.
Join us in a conversation about the care economy, domestic work, and the social vulnerability of caregivers around the world!
Hair may seem like a mundane subject, but it has real implications for how Black women experience the world. Because hair communicates messages about our personal identities to the world — whether intentional or not — it is important to explore how we think about our hair in relation to health. Why do some women feel such strong ties to their hair that they will avoid exercise? What can be done to understand this phenomenon and address alternatives that may make both hair maintenance and regular exercise feasible?
Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? Interestingly, the answer to this question can have a significant impact on our health behaviors — from what we eat to whether we exercise enough to physical experiences of pain and disability. Our research finds that perceptions of the body are key to physical functionality, emotional well-being and pain.
