UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 16, Page 3
January 5, 1995
Meaning of manhood; NEA supports James Davis' research study

     How African-American males construct meanings of manhood and
masculinity and link these social meanings of gender with academic
achievement is the focus of research by James Davis, assistant
professor of educational studies.
     For his two-year comparative study of male seventh grade, high
school and college students to determine the relationship between
gender identity and school performance, Davis has been awarded a
prestigious National Academy of Education Spencer fellowship of
$35,000.
     A graduate of Morehouse College with a doctorate from Cornell
University, Davis recently published a work, co-authored by Andrea G.
Hunter of the University of Michigan, focused on African-American
men's conceptualization of manhood and the social constrictions of
manhood.
     In his studies, he surveyed African-American men, ranging in age
from under 25 to over 55. They were asked, "What do you think it means
to be a man?" Responses were categorized, sorted and then further
developed into conceptual maps, with such classifications as
perseverance, self-betterment, pride, maturity and economic viability.
Men also were asked to rate these attributes in importance to manhood.
     In analyzing the data, Davis concludes that "manhood, if
appropriately developed, is seen as a source of inner strength that
males can use to negotiate racism and economic oppression. Although
black males may be at risk for a number of social and economic ills,
within this context of risk there is also survival. The conceptions of
manhood reported here are a part of this survival."
     These findings are important, Davis said, because they present a
core conception of African-American manhood that is often overshadowed
by a discourse about the social pathology of black males' experiences.
     For his new project, "Uneasy Ties: Schooling, Construction of
Masculinity and the Achievement of African-American Males," Davis will
use the same methodology, with questionnaires and interviews followed
by group activities that promote discussions about black masculinity.
From these brainstorming sessions, he will do concept mapping as he
did for his research on the older group.
     "My new research project will focus on how African-American boys'
concepts of masculinity evolve as they become adolescents and young
men. For a host of reasons, many African-American males tend to be
underachievers and do poorly in conventional school settings. My
research attempts to discover if conceptions of masculinity influence
their school performances and to examine the many complexities of
black males' schooling experiences.
     "On college campuses, for example, black males may feel more
targeted and threatened because of racism and discrimination, which
also can have a negative academic and social effect," Davis said.
     In discussions and research about the "black male crisis," there
has been little information about how African-American males
themselves feel about masculinity and manhood, Davis said, and his
goal is to give voice to their experiences and concerns.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure