Open AccessTrauma and Black Male Adolescents: A Critical Link
Author(s) -
Gilbert Singletary
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
adolescent psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2210-6774
pISSN - 2210-6766
DOI - 10.2174/2210676609666190617143509
Subject(s) - poverty , psychology , group living , developmental psychology , black male , african american , gender studies , sociology , ecology , ethnology , economics , biology , economic growth
Background: By the year 2020, children of color will become the majority ofthose 18 years of age and under in United States. There is a dearth of research that investigatesthe developmental trajectories of children of color, especially those who live in communitieswhere they are exposed to traumatic events. African American males reared in povertyand/or living in violent communities are an especially vulnerable group. Methods: This paper examines the unique experiences of Black male adolescents and theiremotional, psychological, and neurobiological responses to trauma. Discussion: Trauma has multifaceted effects on the lives of Black males. Behavioral disturbancescan result in exclusion from school, leading to further traumatization and deprivation.Much of what appears to be antisocial behavior is in fact adaptive response to living in violentcommunities. It is important to consider the role of this complex interweaving of circumstancesin understanding the development of this vulnerable group.