A report on the educational status of black women during the un decade of women, 1976–85
By most statistical indicators, the educational gains made by black women during the past decade are rapidly being eroded: high school completion rates and college enrollment figures are declining, and dropout rates are increasing. The increase in black women earning bachelors and graduate degrees is due almost entirely to their higher participation rates in college. A higher proportion of blacks than whites are below 24 years of age; declining enrollments at a time when the black population is expanding reflects a significant loss. Important areas for policy initiatives include increases in financial aid. a critical factor in college attendance by black women-particularly at the graduate and professional degree levels-improvement in quality of primary and secondary education and counseling, and continuing education programs for teenage mothers.
Invisible woman : a case study on black women's experiences in graduate degree programs in central Kentucky.
INVISIBLE WOMAN: A CASE STUDY ON BLACK WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES IN GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY Ciara N. Pierce November 1, 2010 Using black feminist perspective and standpoint this study explored factors that affect black women's matriculation and retention in graduate degree programs by examining how experiences and opportunities connected to race, class, and gender inform their decision to pursue and persist through graduate education. Specifically the study sought to investigate how the outlined factors affect the decision to pursue and matriculate through a graduate degree program. Those factors include: (1) educational preparedness, aspirations, and attitudes; (2) economic opportunities and restraints; (3) family obligations and expectations; (4) networks and mentoring; (5) and perceptions of usefulness. Data was collected by way of qualitative interviews with ten black women graduate students studying in various disciplines at two universities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Findings revealed that information from the qualitative interviews was congruent with the literature that focused specifically on black women. Race, faculty mentoring relationships, and personal expectations had the most significant impact on the participants' experiences in their respective graduate programs.
Adolescent Pregnancy Programs: A Perspective for the Future
AbstractAdolescent pregnancy is discussed, presenting the limitations of the medical model. A shift in the conceptualization of health and illness is proposed. Accordingly, adolescent pregnancy is not to be considered a disease, but instead attention needs to be focused on the behavior producing premature pregnancy. The “cure” of adolescent pregnancy, through abortion or delivery, needs to give way to the care for the pregnant adolescent by helping her acquire coping skills. Adolescent pregnancy is not solely a concern of the medical profession but of society as a whole.