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Dissertation
Unheard and unseen: a narrative study of African American adolescents experiencing homelessness
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3974
Abstract
Nationally, the number of children and youth experiencing homelessness is increasing. The Sacramento, California region mirrors the challenges found nationally in urban areas with respect to youth homelessness. On the national, state, and local levels, African American youth are disproportionately represented in the homeless demographic. Frequently unheard and unseen in mainstream stories regarding homelessness, the needs of this population often go unmet. This includes the needs within the education system. The population of African American youth experiencing homelessness has some of the worst educational outcomes found in the United States. The majoritarian narrative of the issue of dismal educational outcomes for this population is viewed from the perspective of "what is wrong with 'those' kids." This work shifts the question from "what is wrong with 'those' kids" to "what is occurring within the system?"This narrative study is from the perspective of four African American adolescents experiencing homelessness. Information is gathered from interview sessions, observations, and the analysis of documents to provide a counter-view to the majoritarian story told regarding race and homelessness. The themes that emerge from the stories of the study participants are lack of consistent adult support, illegal activity as a necessary means of escape, education as a means to overcome adversity, and hope for the future. The stories of these youth provide insight into the lived experiences of African American youth experiencing homelessness in an effort to gain understanding of the support and opportunities that may assist these young people in achieving their goals. From these insights, recommendations for providing support to youth experiencing homelessness are made.
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Details
- Title
- Unheard and unseen: a narrative study of African American adolescents experiencing homelessness
- Creators
- Addie Lucille Ellis - DU
- Contributors
- Kathy Dee Geller (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3974; 991014632178604721