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Superwoman Stress: How Cultural Norms Harm Black Women
30 Apr
Summary
- Cultural pressure on Black women to be strong harms their health.
- Suppressed vulnerability linked to adverse birth outcomes.
- Systemic racism causes 'weathering' of Black women's bodies.
Cultural expectations for Black women to maintain an image of constant strength, known as the Superwoman Schema, are significantly impacting their health. Developed by Dr. Cheryl Woods-Giscombé, this framework posits that the pressure to suppress vulnerability contributes to a range of serious health issues.
These health consequences include adverse birth outcomes, cardiovascular disease, lupus, and obesity. This is compounded by 'weathering,' a concept introduced by Arline T. Geronimus, which describes the cumulative physical and mental damage caused by systemic racism and societal dismissal of pain.
The constant need to appear strong, coupled with the effects of social marginalization, creates a profound health burden for Black women. This ongoing struggle has dire implications for their overall well-being.
