An Investigation of Sex-Role stereotypes in African Americans

Abstract

The theoretical literature exploring both sex-role classification and sex-role stereotypes in African Americans is scanty. In most cases, when these constructs are studied, and even when African Americans are considered to constitute an independent cultural group, the theoretical framework is still Euro-American. In addition, African Americans are still most often researched in comparison to Euro-Americans. The consistent evaluation of African Americans on Euro-American dimensions presents many problems. One very serious problem is that such comparisons typically neglect the cultural integrity of African Americans. Consequently, the focus of the research question and discussion of the findings are based on a Euro-American perspective. This ultimately leaves the African American misunderstood and quite often labeled as deviant and/or deficient. The limitations of this approach, accompanied by numerous contradictory empirical findings, have made drawing conclusions about African Americans and sex-role stereotypes quite difficult. Nevertheless, a few theorists have spoken to the notion of sexrole classification and African Americans (Ani, 1994; HarperBolton, 1982; Lewis, 1975; Nobles, 1974; Peters, 1988; Reid, 1985; T'Shaka, 1995). From these theorists' perspectives on sexrole classification and African Americans, and from the available data on African Americans and sex-role stereotypes, we can begin