African Descent Women's Conceptualization of Ethnic/Racial and Gender Identities

AFRICAN DESCENT WOMEN’S CONCEPTUALIZATION OF ETHNIC/RACIAL AND GENDER IDENTITIES by Wendi S. Williams, MA This qualitative study explored racial/ethnic and gender identities of African descent women. Specifically, 13 African descent women were interviewed about influences on their racial/ethnic and gender identities, the process by such identities developed in order to assess the applicability of current theories, and whether they perceive an interaction between their racial/ethnic and gender identities. Phase One, an initial focus group informed Phase Two of the study; individual interviews. Phase Three, a member-checking focus group, validated themes generated from data analysis. All focus groups and interview sessions followed a semi-structured format. Family, educational experiences, physical features, oppressive experiences, political movements, and religious/spiritual influences were found to shape racial/ethnic identity among participants. Gender identity was found to be influenced by family, motherhood, religion, and physicality. Current identity models were found to, in partially, describe racial/ethnic identity development. Womanist identity was found to most accurately describe the participant’s gender identity development. Finally, an interaction between racial/ethnic and gender identity development was endorsed, however articulation of this relationship was difficult. Research and practical implications are discussed. AFRICAN DESCENT WOMEN’S CONCEPTUALIZATION OF ETHNIC/RACIAL AND GENDER IDENTITIES by Wendi S. Williams