Re: Cases related to African American hair practices

["Cheryl Fujii" <cfujii@xxxxxxxxx>]

Marva -

You might want to check out the following book published in 2003 by the 
Child Welfare League of America:

Making Cultural Connections: Hair and Skin Care for Children of African 
Descent by Jeanne M. Costa.  It's meant for people who are caring for 
African American children and are not familiar with procedures and 
products to keep their hair and skin healthy.   It could probably 
provide some background for you in your investigation.  Here's a 
description of the book:

"This down-to-earth, practical guide to the unique hair and skin care 
needs of children of African heritage is specifically written for 
adoptive or foster families who may not be of African or Caribbean 
descent but who are caring for children who are.  It approaches hair and 
skin care from the perspective of promoting the child's cultural 
identify and stresses open communication between caregiver and child.  
The author offers concrete suggestions for normal hair maintenance; how 
to avoid hair damage and how to care for damaged hair; hairstyles for 
children and teens; normal skin care; and skin conditions, both benign 
and potentially harmful, that are common in people with darker skin.  
This book also contains a resources section to help caregivers promote 
other aspectes of the child's culture."

While it doesn't discuss hair-related abuse, it does talk about the use 
of chemicals on hair and some of the problems associated with chemical use.

Hope this helps.

Cheryl Fujii
Resource Specialist
California Child Welfare Resource Library
A division of the California Social Work Education Center, University of 
California at Berkeley


mlewis@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>I am writing an article in collaboration with Judge Earnestine Gray about the 
>risks to infants and young children from various hair styling practices by 
>African American caregivers. We are examining the medical, psychologocal and 
>legal perspectives of risks from child endangering hair styles that includes 
>burns from chemical permanents, scalding and hair loss from corn row hair 
>styles. Our goal is to educate the child welfare community of professionals and 
>provide some culturally grounded guidelines for children's safety as well as 
>assessment and intervention specifically related to these practices.
>
>We have searched the literature using a number of data bases and have not found 
>any specific cases related to child abuse and neglect that focuses attention on 
>the hair styling practices. We have found some medical articles but none in the 
>social sciences or legal data bases. 1) Is anyone aware of any articles, books, 
>etc. that might be relevant? 2) Is anyone aware of any cases that included 
>concerns about hair styleing practices?
>
>Thank you for your help!
>
>Marva L. Lewis, Ph.D.
>Tulane University
>mlewis@xxxxxxxxxx
>504.862.3478
>
>
>  
>