examining the role of african american cosmetologists and salons in domestic violence advocacy

260 Pages·2017·1.56 MB·English

UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff KKeennttuucckkyy
UUKKnnoowwlleeddggee
Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy
Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation
Studies and Evaluation
2014
BBEEHHIINNDD TTHHEE MMIIRRRROORRSS:: EEXXAAMMIINNIINNGG TTHHEE RROOLLEE OOFF AAFFRRIICCAANN
AAMMEERRIICCAANN CCOOSSMMEETTOOLLOOGGIISSTTSS AANNDD SSAALLOONNSS IINN DDOOMMEESSTTIICC
VVIIOOLLEENNCCEE AADDVVOOCCAACCYY AANNDD EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN
Pangela H. Dawson
University of Kentucky, [email protected]
RRiigghhtt cclliicckk ttoo ooppeenn aa ffeeeeddbbaacckk ffoorrmm iinn aa nneeww ttaabb ttoo lleett uuss kknnooww hhooww tthhiiss ddooccuummeenntt bbeenneefifittss yyoouu..
RReeccoommmmeennddeedd CCiittaattiioonn
Dawson, Pangela H., "BEHIND THE MIRRORS: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN
COSMETOLOGISTS AND SALONS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION" (2014). Theses
and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. 17.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/epe_etds/17
This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Educational Policy Studies and
Evaluation at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy
Studies and Evaluation by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact
[email protected].
SSTTUUDDEENNTT AAGGRREEEEMMEENNTT::
I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution
has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining
any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s)
from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing
electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be
submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File.
I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and
royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of
media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made
available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies.
I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in
future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to
register the copyright to my work.
RREEVVIIEEWW,, AAPPPPRROOVVAALL AANNDD AACCCCEEPPTTAANNCCEE
The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on
behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of
the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all
changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements
above.
Pangela H. Dawson, Student
Dr. Judy Jackson, Major Professor
Dr. Jeffery Bieber, Director of Graduate Studies
BEHIND THE MIRRORS:
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COSMETOLOGISTS AND
SALONS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION

DISSERTATION

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Educational
Policy Studies and Evaluation in the College of Education
at the University of Kentucky

By
Pangela H. Dawson

Lexington, Kentucky

Co-Director: Dr. Judy Jackson, Professor of Education Policy Studies and Evaluation
Co-Director: Dr. Sonja Feist-Price, Professor of Educational Counseling and Psychology

Lexington, Kentucky

Copyright © Pangela H. Dawson 2014
ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION

BEHIND THE MIRRORS:
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COSMETOLOGISTS AND
SALONS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION

African American beauty salons across the country have historically served as
settings for social interaction, political activism, and community organizing in the
African American community. These settings often offer opportunities for intimacy
between cosmetologists and their clients. Research findings suggest that the unique bonds
between women in salons can be a viable option when providing health intervention and
education to large numbers of women. Data indicates that salon campaigns and
promotions which focused on health issues such as stroke and diabetes education, breast
and cervical cancer awareness, healthy living, and smoking cessation, have been
efficacious in changing unhealthy habits or increasing knowledge. There are a plethora
of social and health issues that could also benefit from this culturally sensitive platform.
In particular, abused African American women face multiple barriers when accessing
services offered by legal, medical, and social services. These barriers can affect the help-
seeking behaviors of victims/survivors. Developing strategic interventions that address
the ways in which these women seek help as well as increasing access to services is
essential.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how African American
cosmetologists and salons might be used in domestic violence advocacy and education.
Theories framing this research included intersectionality and the social ecological
framework (SEF). The interrelatedness of intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and
societal factors within each framework was used to understand how women experience
violence and how the social phenomena in African American salons might provide
alternative means of intervention to reach and empower marginalized, abused women.
Eleven licensed, African American cosmetologists in three separate salons were
recruited. Their perceptions (thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and opinions) about domestic
violence advocacy and experiences with clients were collected and analyzed. In-depth
interviews with each cosmetologist recreated their daily encounters in the salon and
provided information about their relationships with clients. These findings were
triangulated by salon observations and survey instrumentation. Common patterns and
themes from this data were identified and coded. The findings were reported using rich,
descriptive narratives provided by the cosmetologists.

KEYWORDS: Violence, Beauty, Salon, Advocacy, Education

Pangela H. Dawson

May 9, 2014
BEHIND THE MIRRORS:
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COSMETOLOGISTS AND
SALONS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION

By

Pangela H. Dawson

Dr. Judy Jackson
Co-Director of Dissertation

Dr. Sonja Feist-Price
Co-Director of Dissertation

Dr. Jeffery Bieber
Director of Graduate Studies

May 9, 2014
Date
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the
vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie.”
Habakkuk 2:2-3

This project, although divinely inspired, was supported and enhanced by a
phenomenal dissertation committee. Without their guidance, it would have surely tarried.
I was once told that leading and guiding were two completely different concepts.
Writing this dissertation under the direction of my co-chairs has afforded me experiences
with both. Dr. Judy Jackson, with her balance of patience and encouragement, led by
example and demonstrated how success could be attained. She imparted qualities of
wisdom that would take this vision beyond the pages of the research. Dr. Sonja Feist-
Price through her commitment and love, provided immeasurable guidance since the
conception. She was the force that motivated me late in the race, when I wanted to give
up and could not bear the thought of running one more lap. Her words of encouragement
echoed like those of any great coach; “You’re almost there!” Without her words, the
vision may have been lost. Dr. Beth Goldstein’s contributions to the project guided me
towards a greater understanding of the literature. Her support and suggestions were
timely and a great source of encouragement. Dr. Jane Jensen remained a constant support
and reliable listener. She inspired me to write beyond my own limitations. The
remaining members of my dissertation committee –Dr. Christina Alcalde and Dr. Rynetta
Davis—both contributed to this work through their careful reading and thoughtful
comments. Together, this group of scholars have demonstrated the highest standards of
scholarly integrity. I will forever be thankful for their support.
iii
The women who participated in this study also gave generously of their personal
and professional time. I am grateful for their willingness to share openly and trust me
with the intimate details of their salons.
Finally, my family has provided an immense amount of love, support, and
sacrifice. This study is dedicated jointly to my husband, Demarcus Dawson, who was the
wind beneath my wings; to my mother, Evelyn Beckham, whose prayers kept the vision
alive; and to April Higgins, who encouraged me in ways that are too numerous to name.
I also thank my children, Jaylen and Joshua for their many hugs and enduring patience.

iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iii
List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii
List of Figures ................................................................................................................... ix
Preface .................................................................................................................................x
Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................1
Study Context and Overview .........................................................................................1
Domestic Violence in the United States ........................................................................9
Domestic Violence among African American Women ...............................................12
Introduction of the Problem .........................................................................................13
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................16
Research Questions ......................................................................................................17

Chapter Two: Review of the Literature ...........................................................................19
Intersectionality ............................................................................................................19
The Strong Black Woman Phenomenon ......................................................................22
Black Beauty Culture and Salons ................................................................................25
Black Beauty and Black Feminism ..............................................................................32
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................34
Social Ecological and Intersectionality Frameworks .........................................................34

Chapter Three: Methodology ............................................................................................44
Methodological Framework .........................................................................................44
Research Participants and Sites ...................................................................................49
Methods of Data Generation. .......................................................................................53
Salon/Participant Observations ....................................................................................55
Cosmetologists Interviews ...........................................................................................59
Data Management ........................................................................................................61
Observations ...........................................................................................................61
Interviews ................................................................................................................61
Survey .....................................................................................................................62
Data Analysis. ..............................................................................................................62

Chapter Four: Salons and Participant Descriptions. ..........................................................69
Phenomenal Women .....................................................................................................69
Participant Descriptions ................................................................................................69
Salon #1. ................................................................................................................74
Beverly. .............................................................................................................75
Denise ...............................................................................................................77
Lisa. ...................................................................................................................78
Nikki. ................................................................................................................78
Salon #2. ................................................................................................................79
Angie. ................................................................................................................81
Ché. ...................................................................................................................81
v
Joy. ....................................................................................................................82
Tanya.................................................................................................................83
Salon #3. ................................................................................................................83
Carol. .................................................................................................................85
Keisha. ..............................................................................................................86
Jackie.................................................................................................................87
Overview of Stylists’ Characteristics. .........................................................................87
Overview of the Three Salons . ...................................................................................89

Chapter Five: Results. ........................................................................................................92
Opportunities for Anti-Violence Education in Salons. ................................................93
Advocacy .....................................................................................................................94
Advocacy Summary ...................................................................................................115
Training ......................................................................................................................116
Training Summary .....................................................................................................124
Features in the Social and Physical Environments that Facilitate
or Inhibit Discussion. ...........................................................................................126
Salon Features that Facilitate Discussion about Violence .........................................126
Religion ................................................................................................................126
Religion Summary ...............................................................................................134
Resources .............................................................................................................135
Participant Social Resources ................................................................................135
Television as a Salon Physical Resource .............................................................140
Music as a Salon Physical Resource ....................................................................142
Written Literature as a Salon Physical Resource .................................................143
Technology as a Salon Physical Resource ...........................................................143
Resources Summary .............................................................................................145
Changing Environment ........................................................................................147
Open versus Private Salon Concepts ...................................................................147
Salon Features that Inhibit Discussion about Violence .............................................150
Participants in the Salon.......................................................................................150
Summary of Changing Environment .........................................................................157
Facilitation of Discussion about Violence ...........................................................157
Inhibitors of Discussions about Violence ............................................................158
The Role of the Relationships between African American Cosmetologists
and their Clients ...................................................................................................159
Collaboration..............................................................................................................160
Relationships between Stylists and Clients ..........................................................160
Relationships between Stylists .............................................................................170
Relationships between Clients and Clients ..........................................................173
Summary of Collaboration ...................................................................................176
Commitment ........................................................................................................177
Summary of Commitment....................................................................................183
Results of Summary .............................................................................................183

Chapter Six: Discussions and Conclusions .....................................................................186
vi