| Experiences of young Black mothers in the United States are influenced by socially constructed discourses and ideologies about race, gender, class and power (Collins, 2000, 2001). Marginalization results from hegemonic beliefs and practices associated with socially constructed ideas of Black female identity and motherhood. A theory of psychological resistance addresses optimal (long term; liberation) and suboptimal (short term; survivalist) forms of resistance that Black women engage in to push back against marginalization (Robinson & Ward, 1991). Studies in the area of Black adolescent motherhood have found that issues related to societal stress (e.g. Kotchick et al, 2005) and the role and relationship of the teen and her mother have major influence in the experience of young Black mothers (e.g. Apfel & Seitz, 1991; Gee & Rhodes, 2003).; Building on the extant research, this qualitative case analysis using a sample of eight Black young mothers, explored their psychological resistance to marginalization, the involvement of their mothers in their lives as new mothers, and factors contributing to and between these resistance and involvement in the relational context. Data was collected from in-depth ethnographic participant interviews, reflective notes and observations that were analyzed using key emerging constructs as conceptual frames: the Profiles of Resistance (Craddock, 2005)---specific patterns and combinations of optimal/suboptimal resistance reflected in affect, behavior and cognition, and the Model of Mother Involvement---a composition of mother/daughter caregiving practices, mother involvement approach beliefs (Apfel & Seitz, 1991) and the dyadic relational dynamics of intimacy, autonomy and proximity. Findings reveal distinct resistance profiles and involvement models in the sample that were related to messages young mothers received about marginalization and in response to their pregnancy. Implications of the role of the mother-daughter relationship on resistance activity, involvement, and race and gender identity development in the social context emerged. |
