Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

Black girls in the U.S. experience dehumanization through adultification and sexual objectification that impact disciplinary practices in the education system. Adultification stereotypes Black girls as more mature, less innocent, and less in need of protection, which results in harsher disciplinary actions and limited empathy from educators. At the same time, sexual objectification reinforces harmful perceptions of Black girls' sexuality and culpability in their sexual violence victimization. The “Jezebel” and “Angry Black Woman” stereotypes continue to influence how Black girls are perceived as either hypersexual or aggressive. These biases and stereotypes contribute to disproportionate disciplinary measures, particularly subjective infractions like “defiance” or “disrespect,” which disproportionately remove Black girls from the classroom, negatively impacting their academic and social development. This paper examines the connections and effects of adultification, sexual objectification, and disciplinary practices.

Year of Submission

2025

Department

Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations

First Advisor

Greg Bourassa

Date Original

2025

Object Description

1 PDF file (24 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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