Girls' Identities and Experiences of Oppression in Schools: Resilience, Resistance, and Transformation

This book explores how girls and adults in school systems hold multiple realities, negotiate tensions, cultivate hope and resilience, resist oppression, and envision transformation through an intersectional approach. It documents girl-led activism and highlights the experiences of girls of color, LGBTQ+ girls, and low-income girls. The authors offer a three-part structure for enacting resilience, resistance, and transformation, and provide pedagogies, policies, and practices for educators to engage in systemic change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 142 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate tapestry of girls' and adults' realities within school systems, exploring the complex interplay of multiple dimensions that shape their experiences. Through an intersectional lens, the authors shed light on the ways in which girls and adults navigate tensions, cultivate hope and resilience, resist oppression, and envision transformation. Drawing upon the rich voices and lived experiences of girls and educators, Brinkman, Brinkman, and Hamilton document girl-led activism within and outside schools, highlighting the transformative power of girls' voices and actions.

Girls' narratives are analyzed through an intersectionality framework, recognizing the multifaceted nature of their social identities, including gender identity, race, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, and more. This framework provides a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of these factors that shape their lived experiences. The authors meticulously examine data and interviews collected over a 15-year period, unveiling a three-part structure that outlines how girls engage in strategies to enact resilience, resistance, and transformation.

Part one reconceptualizes traditional definitions of resilience and delves into girls' experiences of oppression within school systems. It identifies common stereotypes about girls and explores the intricate web of factors that influence their choices within systems that they perceive as immutable. Part two showcases girls' active resistance to stereotypes, pressures to conform, and interpersonal and systemic discrimination. From entitlement among their male peers to experiences of sexualization in school, the authors highlight the diverse ways in which girls challenge and subvert oppressive norms.

Part three illuminates pathways for educational transformation, offering a vision of new possibilities for educational practices. The authors propose a range of pedagogies, policies, and practices that educators can adopt to engage in systemic change, fostering environments that prioritize girls' well-being, agency, and empowerment. This book is a valuable resource for professionals such as educators, counselors, social workers, policy makers, as well as academics and students in social, developmental, and educational psychology. It provides insights into the complex dynamics of gender, power, and social justice, offering practical strategies for promoting equity and inclusion in schools. By centering girls' voices and experiences, this book contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by girls and adults in educational systems, paving the way for positive change and a more equitable future.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367629441