"Rest, Resilience, and the Black Motherscholar: Breaking Free from the Grind Culture"
Faculty Advisor Name
Melissa Aleman
Department
School of Communication Studies
Description
Motherhood is often portrayed as an empowering and transformative experience, celebrated for its inherent joys and profound impact on a woman's identity. However, the post-birth transition, which involves navigating an intricate balancing act of work, family, self-care, and personal aspirations, remains largely under-explored. This gap in understanding leaves mothers, especially Black mothers, to manage these multiple roles without adequate support. The challenge of balancing societal expectations, work demands, and personal well-being often places mothers at the intersection of numerous pressures, compounding their emotional and physical load.
One of the most significant pressures in contemporary society is the relentless cycle of "grind culture," which is deeply rooted in capitalist and white supremacist structures. Grind culture values constant productivity and individual achievement, often at the expense of personal health and well-being. For Black women, this culture disproportionately affects them, exacerbating the challenges they already face in navigating the compounded stressors of racism and sexism. As a result, Black mothers are more likely to experience burnout, sleep deprivation, and significant mental, emotional, and physical health disparities. These disparities not only impact their ability to care for their children and families but also hinder their own personal growth and professional aspirations.
This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of Black mothers who balance the demands of motherhood with these systemic pressures. By drawing on the work of scholars such as Dr. Tricia Hersey, Anna CohenMiller, and others, the research explores four key themes: the health impacts of grind culture, the importance of self-care, the role of social support and institutional policies, and the concept of rest as resistance.
The accompanying presentation will take the form of a poster that adapts this research into a self-reflexive approach. It invites participants to explore how grind culture manifests in their own lives and to examine the role of rest and sleep in supporting their health and well-being. Participants will be equipped with practical strategies for self-care, rest, and mental health, and be encouraged to engage in a dialogue about how these elements can resist grind culture. The session will allow participants to reflect on the experiences of Black women and mothers navigating grind culture in various spheres, including at home, at work, and within their communities.
As a result of this poster presentation, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of grind culture on their lives, learn how rest and sleep can resist these pressures, and explore actionable steps to prioritize their own self-care. Additionally, participants will identify specific barriers to rest in their own lives, and develop actionable strategies to reclaim their well-being. The presentation aims to empower attendees to challenge societal norms that contribute to burnout and stress, and to provide them with tools to create healthier, more sustainable routines. By providing these resources, the study aims to foster an environment of greater care, support, and understanding for Black mothers, contributing to more equitable and holistic approaches to well-being in the face of systemic oppression.
"Rest, Resilience, and the Black Motherscholar: Breaking Free from the Grind Culture"
Motherhood is often portrayed as an empowering and transformative experience, celebrated for its inherent joys and profound impact on a woman's identity. However, the post-birth transition, which involves navigating an intricate balancing act of work, family, self-care, and personal aspirations, remains largely under-explored. This gap in understanding leaves mothers, especially Black mothers, to manage these multiple roles without adequate support. The challenge of balancing societal expectations, work demands, and personal well-being often places mothers at the intersection of numerous pressures, compounding their emotional and physical load.
One of the most significant pressures in contemporary society is the relentless cycle of "grind culture," which is deeply rooted in capitalist and white supremacist structures. Grind culture values constant productivity and individual achievement, often at the expense of personal health and well-being. For Black women, this culture disproportionately affects them, exacerbating the challenges they already face in navigating the compounded stressors of racism and sexism. As a result, Black mothers are more likely to experience burnout, sleep deprivation, and significant mental, emotional, and physical health disparities. These disparities not only impact their ability to care for their children and families but also hinder their own personal growth and professional aspirations.
This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of Black mothers who balance the demands of motherhood with these systemic pressures. By drawing on the work of scholars such as Dr. Tricia Hersey, Anna CohenMiller, and others, the research explores four key themes: the health impacts of grind culture, the importance of self-care, the role of social support and institutional policies, and the concept of rest as resistance.
The accompanying presentation will take the form of a poster that adapts this research into a self-reflexive approach. It invites participants to explore how grind culture manifests in their own lives and to examine the role of rest and sleep in supporting their health and well-being. Participants will be equipped with practical strategies for self-care, rest, and mental health, and be encouraged to engage in a dialogue about how these elements can resist grind culture. The session will allow participants to reflect on the experiences of Black women and mothers navigating grind culture in various spheres, including at home, at work, and within their communities.
As a result of this poster presentation, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of grind culture on their lives, learn how rest and sleep can resist these pressures, and explore actionable steps to prioritize their own self-care. Additionally, participants will identify specific barriers to rest in their own lives, and develop actionable strategies to reclaim their well-being. The presentation aims to empower attendees to challenge societal norms that contribute to burnout and stress, and to provide them with tools to create healthier, more sustainable routines. By providing these resources, the study aims to foster an environment of greater care, support, and understanding for Black mothers, contributing to more equitable and holistic approaches to well-being in the face of systemic oppression.
