Melanistic Magazine - Vol.14

THE ADULTIFICATION OF

BLACK GIRLS

Research by Stella Igweamaka & Nana Appah for Black Canadian Women in Action (BCW)

“I once wore leggings to school and my teachers called me aside saying that it was inappropriate dressing. Meanwhile, all of my white friends always wear leggings and they have never called them aside. Mentally, it doesn’t feel right to be treated differently. I am of the same age as my peers. I find it very unfair”.

-Black girl, 14 years old.

This was one of the heart wrenching stories ‘Titi’ shared with us as part of her experience with being adultified at school. We had all sorts of questions in our minds and wondered why a young Black girl would have to go through this. As we delved into the research on the Adultification of Black girls in Canada, we were overcome with a mix of emotions. Anger, frustration, and sadness were just a few of the emotions we experienced as we learned about the stark realities that Black girls face in their daily lives.

The Adultification of Black girls is a form of racial prejudice where children of minority groups, typically Black children, are perceived to be more mature and less innocent than their white counterparts. As a result of this, they are treated differently compared to their white counterparts, usually facing sterner punishments and discipline.

In May 2020, Michigan judge, Mary Ellen Brenan, made headlines when journalists revealed that she detained a 15-year-old Black girl, referred to as “Grace,” for not completing her online homework. Grace joined nearly 25% of public-school students across the United States who had failed to complete their online homework during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Why then did she seem to be the only one that faced such extreme and unmerited consequences?

A ground-breaking study by Georgetown law center on poverty and inequality found that adults believe that Black girls need less nurturing, less protection, less support and less comfort. A related study revealed that Black girls are punished at a disproportionate rate compared to their counterparts in schools and the juvenile justice system. This notion is defined as “Adultification Bias.”

In Canada, we discovered that Black girls also faced similar treatments and there was limited quantitative research on this topic. Black girls knew they were experiencing this but didn’t know the term for it. We launched a quantitative survey to 400 Canadians asking them about their perception of children in the 21st century.

The study revealed surprising results that showed that people tend to think that Black girls as young as 0-9 years old are more grownup than white girls of the same age. As a result, people expect Black girls to behave in a more adult-like way, which can be unfair.

As we took our investigation further, we had the privilege of speaking with 20 Black girls aged between 11 and 15. Through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, they shared their stories with us, and it was incredibly difficult not to feel their pain. It was heartbreaking to learn about the unequal and often cruel treatment they faced from schools and adults, which stood in sharp contrast to the experiences of their white peers.

“When I was younger, adults frequently treated me as if I knew more than I actually did. My white friend was crying in the corner because she got in trouble, and because I wasn’t crying with her, they assumed I was just more mature, but that wasn’t the case. I simply did not cry because there was no point in crying if I did nothing. Just because I wasn’t crying didn’t mean I was tough or had the mindset of an adult. Adultification, in my opinion, is when you treat a younger child as if they should know the same things that adults do. This is bad because children are meant to be children. They are supposed to be playful and not worry about things that adults are concerned about.”

-Black girl, 13 years old

RESEARCH FINDINGS

Black girls are often treated as if they are older than they actually are and as a result, they do not receive the same level of care and protection from adults as other children do.

Adults often try to make Black girls behave in ways that are seen as “ladylike” according to traditional white norms of femininity. This can make Black girls feel like they have to hide who they truly are and conform to what society expects of them. This can be very stressful and can prevent them from expressing themselves freely.

Black girls are often held to a stricter standard of behavior than their white peers. This means that when they break rules, they may receive harsher punishments than their white peers, even if they committed the same offense. This can make it harder for Black girls to succeed and can contribute to feelings of unfairness and inequality.

Adults often try to make Black girls behave in ways that are seen as “ladylike” according to traditional white norms of femininity. This can make Black girls feel like they have to hide who they truly are and conform to what society expects of them. This can be very stressful and can prevent them from expressing themselves freely.

Black girls may not feel safe expressing their emotions because they fear being judged or misunderstood by others. As a result, they may put up a tough exterior and try to mask their feelings instead of showing vulnerability. This can lead to emotional stress and can make it harder for them to form meaningful connections with others.

“I feel like I have to look really happy, like I am not angry or sad - not just in school, but any place outside. If I am sad about something, I try not to look it, so people don’t make assumptions or assume how I am feeling. People usually think that Black people are angry, or they just want to start something. I want to seem just more approachable. So, I just try and do that”. -Black girl, 13 years old

Gender stereotypes affect how Black girls are treated as well, with expectations for them to take on responsibilities traditionally associated with motherhood, such as doing household chores and taking care of younger siblings. This can make them grow up faster than their peers and may cause them to miss out on important aspects of childhood contributing to Adultification Bias

“My mom asked me to clean her car and while I was cleaning it, my brother was in his room playing a game or something like that and I thought my mum would help me, but she didn’t. The next day she took my siblings out with the car and when they got back, the car was a mess and I felt like all the effort I put in to clean the car was wasted. I know I am the oldest and I should get to do some chores but sometimes it just feels a certain type of way.” -Black girl, 14 years old

It is undeniable that Adultification has a significant impact on the lives of Black girls in Canada, affecting how they are treated by teachers, authority figures, and the media. This reality is heartbreaking, and we can no longer afford to ignore it. Black girls face many challenges that can affect their emotional and psychological well-being, as well as their ability to succeed in society.

HOW DO WE BETTER PROTECT

OUR GIRLS?

What are some ways we can improve the protection of Black girls from Adultification bias? We now know that Black girls experience this bias, but the important question is How can we help them? We have the power to make a difference, and here are some solutions to consider:

Educate yourself and others:

Learn about Adultification bias, its impact on children, and how to recognize it. Share this knowledge with others, including educators, policymakers, and community leaders.

Challenge stereotypes:

Avoid making assumptions about children’s behavior based on their race or ethnicity. Challenge stereotypes that perpetuate Adultification bias and promote positive images of children from diverse backgrounds.

Listen to children:

Give Black girls the opportunity to express themselves and listen to their perspectives. Show respect for their opinions, regardless of their age or background.

Implement policies and practices:

Implement policies and practices that address Adultification bias in schools, healthcare, and other institutions. This may include training for educators and staff, evaluation of disciplinary policies, and increased access to mental health services for children who may be affected by the bias.

Black Canadian Women In Action (BCW) promotes the empowerment of Black Canadian women, girls and families by building selfesteem, leadership and confidence. BCW is using this research on Adultification bias to develop toolkits and resources to support Black girls in overcoming this bias. It is essential that Black girls are treated with equity and fairness as they grow and develop. This research serves to raise awareness of the Adultification bias that Black girls face and offers solutions to help them navigate and overcome these challenges.

Stella Igweamaka and Nana Appah researched Adultification Bias of Black girls in Canada as part of the Canada winning entry for the 2022 ESOMAR Research Got Talent Competition. This research was done to support the NGO Black Canadian Women in Action in their vision in empowering Black girls and women across Canada.

**pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of Black girls who shared their story with us.