One example of this can be seen in the fact that, "Black women are three times more likely than white women to die during pregnancy, and twice as many black babies as white babies die in infancy." (Why do African-American women have more pregnancy problems?)the literature notes that there has been very little research on why these figures should be so high among African-American females. This is one of the many areas that require more extensive research and study with regard to this particular minority group.
Another instance of this lack of research is in the area of partner violence and abuse. Studies have shown that partner violence is high among African-American couples and that "...despite the burgeoning empirical literature on partner violence, few investigations have been conducted on the role of partner violence among women of color and women from disadvantaged backgrounds.... " (Thompson et al., 2000, p. 127)
The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers states that, "Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living." (Code of Ethics) This view relates to the above research in that social workers should consider the various problems that African-American women experience in the light of their relationship to their social milieu and the various pressures and problems that they have to deal with.
This relates especially to the racial issues and the forms of oppression that they have been subjected to. This aspect is emphasized in the NASW Code of Ethics, which states that social workers should "...promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. " Furthermore, social works are "...sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. (Code of Ethics)
There is a plethora of information and resource material that can be accessed about the various aspects and problems experienced by this minority group.
Besides the research studies on this group, there are a number of Web sites that provide up-to-date information and articles that would be useful to the social worker. A useful site is Social Moments in the United States, 1600-2000 (www.binghamton.edu/womhist/links/projlink.htm) This site " (http://www.binghamton.edu/womhist/links/projlink.htm) This site provides a number of links to historical information on human rights and minority group in America. Another informative site is African-American Women. Online Archival Collections. Special Collections Library, Duke University. (http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/collections/african-american-women.html) notable site that also provides insight into the African-American female experience is Notable Women in Black History (http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_list_afram.htm)
This site has an extensive range of information and biographical material on African-American women who have made a difference in their society and culture and this information also provides insight into the various problems that they experience.
In conclusion, there is littler doubt that this minority group is one...
However, conventional beliefs that there is low rate for African-American involvement in suicidal activities, there exists minimal focus on learning the possible suicide patterns among African-Americans. Social workers are not aware of the risks and protectiveness among African-Americans. This gives room for misinterpretation of facts concerning self-destructive activities of African-Americans. The research further stresses the importance of social workers to the study of suicide among African-Americans. They also have the
Women The impact of slavery on the sexuality of African-American women has been largely overlooked for many years. In addition, the negative manner in which African-American Women are portrayed in the media has been a topic of debate in recent years. The purpose of this discussion is to explore how the experience of slavery shaped the development of African-American women's sexual identity and self-esteem. In addition, we will examine how the
Edgar Hoover, makes public its continuing investigation into the activities of black nationalist organizations, singling out the Black Panther Party in particular, Hoover viewing the group as a national security threat. January 05, 1970 Blacks Move Out of Inner Cities: The Bureau of Census statistics show as the quality of life in poverty-stricken urban communities worsens, a continuous stream of middle-class blacks escape to higher-income neighborhoods and suburbs. February 13, 1970 First Black
Women The sphere of women's work had been strictly confined to the domestic realm, prior to the Industrial Revolution. Social isolation, financial dependence, and political disenfranchisement characterized the female experience prior to the twentieth century. The suffrage movement was certainly the first sign of the dismantling of the institutionalization of patriarchy, followed by universal access to education, and finally, the civil rights movement. Opportunities for women have gradually unfolded since the
439). However, Johnson (n.d.) offers an optimistic view showing how patriarchy may be dismantled even in systems in which it appears to be pervasive, such as the military. In "Unraveling the Gender Knot," Johnson (n.d.) points out that it is a myth that gender disparity is inevitable and immutable. In fact, social systems are malleable and changeable. Change begins with "awareness and training about issues of privilege," according to Johnson
Overcrowding in Prisons: Impacts on African-Americans The overcrowded prisons in the United States are heavily populated by African-Americans, many of them incarcerated due to petty, non-violent crimes such as drug dealing. This paper points out that not only are today's prisons overcrowded, the fact of their being overcrowded negatively impacts the African-American community above and beyond the individuals who are locked up. This paper also points to the racist-themed legislation that
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