Media literacy and perceptions of identity among pre-adolescent African-American girls

• Published in: International journal of child and adolescent health Vol. 8; no. 4; p. 477
• Main Authors: Harris, Johari, Irving, Miles, Kruger, Ann C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hauppauge Nova Science Publishers, Inc 01.10.2015
• Subjects: African Americans; Behavior; Children & youth; Gender; Girls; Influence; Oppression; Peers; Problem solving; Race; Rap music; Schools; Society; Stereotypes; System theory; Teenagers; Women
• ISSN: 1939-5930; 2374-0833

This qualitative study is aimed at exploring the impact of sexually explicit media content on the thoughts and beliefs of young African-American girls. Research has shown that African-American adolescent girls are at a greater risk for a range of sexual health issues including sexually transmitted diseases and sex trafficking. Considering the explicit and sexual nature of popular media it is necessary to work to understand the impact on preadolescent girls. A total of eight girls in 5th grade participated in a 6-week after school program and individual interviews. This was based on a preventative curriculum with a focus on media literacy called Project Prevent. Project Prevent is a curriculum designed to address the specific needs and concerns of African-Americans girls and works to develop critical thinking skills and positive coping skills within participants. The results suggest that the girls are aware of the sexual nature of media, particularly hip-hop music. However they do not identify with the language of the music or music videos and are able to point out the misogyny and sexism within popular music culture. All participants cited adults in the home as a source of knowledge when it comes to relationships and behaviors serving as a positive factor. It should be noted, however, that while participants expressed no desire to dress or act like images of women in media, some equated sexually suggestive dancing and behavior with adulthood and expressed a desire to do so at a certain age. These findings add to the small body of emerging research addressing the specific needs of African-American girls and can support future health promotion and prevention efforts directed at this population.