Term of Award
Fall 2016
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading
Committee Chair
Kymberly Harris
Committee Member 1
John Weaver
Committee Member 2
Meca Williams-Johnson
Committee Member 3
Joshua Murfree
Abstract
Research examining the persuasive powers contained within hip-hop is critical to the understanding of how black male adolescents understand and display masculinity. Many black males have embraced the hip-hop culture, with its bravado, swagger, and style, however, many experts contend that it is this involvement with hip-hop that leads to anti-social behavior and poor academic performance. Using Possible Selves theory as a theoretical framework, this study provides a praxis in which to understand in what ways black male adolescents use, and more importantly, do not use commercialized hip-hop in crafting their masculine identities. Additionally, this study will fill the gap in research by qualitatively analyzing the opinions of black male adolescents, from varying backgrounds, regarding commercialized hip-hop and its influence academics as well as on their definition and development of possible selves. Using a basic qualitative research design, five adolescent black males between the ages of 11-14 participated in structured and unstructured interviews as well as a focus group. Their responses in these settings were audio recorded and transcribed. Codes and themes from the transcribed data were developed using a four-step method described by Krueger & Casey (2015). Findings suggest that although the participants in this study self-identified as being heavily immersed in the hip-hop culture, hip-hop culture did not significantly influence their beliefs on masculinity, academics, or their possible selves.
Recommended Citation
Gaiters, Christopher, "From Boys to Men: The Influence of Commercialized Hip-Hop on the Adoption of Masculinity by Black Male Adolescents" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1484.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1484
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
