Expert: Kalua - 12/7/2001

Question
Would like to know about values, norms, religion language and its influence on gender roles for this ethnic group

Answer
That's a broad area and illicits a vague and broad answer.  African American women are known for their spiritual, typically Christian values.  The African American family has until recent times been centered around the church.  There are predominantly more Protestant African Americans than any other type, this, of course depends on region.  I am from Louisiana and quite a few blacks tend to be Catholic in that area.  Black women are spiritual creatures.  This may be a circumstance in which the spirituality of our ancestors has truly been passed down from generation to generation.  Look at black celebrities, more than any other race they proclaim the name of Jesus when accepting an award.

Norms?  It's normal for most black women to attend and participate in a church.  Religion language?  Well, Hallelujah chile, I don't know what you mean.

Religion influences the person to be moral in conduct...regardless of race.  Religion gives a spiritual base for African Americans.  

I just read a piece by a priest stating that immigrants follow the dictates of the church more and attend church more frequently than Americans.  He stated the reasons for this were many but mainly because their lives were hard and they needed assurance of divine support.  This has been true of African American women as well.

I hope this helps, if you want a more detailed answer please pare down your question to a specific area.