Re-Gendering Social Work Practice and Education: The Case for African-American Girls

Abstract

While professional social work enjoys a solid history of working within African-American communities, there is evidence which suggests that one segment of the African-American community, African-American girls in urban settings, continues to be ignored by social work and other helping professions. This paper describes the changing expectations of African-American female adolescents in one urban high school. By critically interpreting the girls' demeanor and icons, the authors suggest that social workers are uniquely qualified to tender needed services to a vulnerable, often ignored, population.

Keywords:

• Re-gendering
• African-American girls
• black adolescents