Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Educational Psychology & Research
Committee Chair
Denise Winsor
Committee Member
William Hunter
Committee Member
Christian Mueller
Committee Member
Susan Nordstrom
Abstract
Deciding where to enroll their children in educational settings presents African American mothers of gifted children with on-going and multifaceted decisions to navigate. This qualitative study explored the narratives and experiences of African American mothers navigating the educational journeys of their intellectually gifted children. Drawing from personal reflections and existing literature, the research situates itself within the historical context of gifted education in American schools and the disproportionate impact on the African American community. Despite extensive research on disproportionality in gifted education, there remains a gap in the literature focusing on the lived experiences of African American individuals, particularly mothers, regarding the education of gifted children. Through the lenses of Person-Environment Fit Theory and Endarkened Feminist Epistemology, this dissertation aims to fill this gap by exploring the multifaceted challenges, opportunities, and perspectives encountered by African American mothers in advocating for and supporting their gifted children. Using SistaCircle Methodology, the study highlights themes such as the complexities of the ‘gifted’ label, intersectionality of race, gender, and giftedness, the intricate decision-making processes, mental health challenges, sacrifices, and feelings of isolation experienced by these mothers. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning individual needs with environmental supports to promote optimal development and well-being in gifted children within diverse cultural and societal contexts. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the unique circumstances of African American mothers raising gifted children and calls for greater recognition and support within educational systems and broader society.
Library Comment
Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.
Notes
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Barnes, Keishana L., "Using SistaCircle Methodology to Understand the Decision-Making Process of African American Mothers of Gifted Children Concerning Where to Enroll Their Children in School" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3609.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3609
Comments
Data is provided by the student.