Grandma’s Hands: Memories of Hair Styling Interaction with African American Grandmothers

ABSTRACT

African American grandmothers frequently take on a caregiving role of their grandchildren and this intergenerational exchange is often inclusive of hair care. Nineteen African American women recalled memories of their grandmothers and the hair care process. The narratives themes included family bonding rituals, words of affirmation and positive touch, disapproval and criticism, and aggressive styling. The findings suggest that hair stories and hair care can be used as an entry point into better understanding African American family dynamics and intergenerational cultural transmission.

KEYWORDS:

• African American
• grandmother
• caregiver
• hair
• narrative