Growing up in Oakland | 2016
Research overview:
Alliance for Girls (AFG), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of the City of Oakland, commissioned a series of focus groups with 42 girls and young women of color, between 11-19 years old, to learn more about the lived experience of girls and young women of color in Oakland. The aim of this research was to help inform Oakland’s approach to creating policies, practices, and services that support young women of color in the city.
Key findings:
The biggest issue that girls and young women of color and their friends face in Oakland is feeling unsafe. The girls expressed a range of fears related to safety on topics such as police violence, gun violence, sexual violence and exploitation, and harassment.
There was a general consensus that Oakland lacks safe spaces for teens to gather and that young women in particular need to be on high alert when they are walking, using public transportation, or hanging out in public spaces.
For African American, Latina, and Asian / Pacific Islander girls alike, there was a near consensus that their families are a source of strength, safety, community, and happiness.
The participants shared that they feel proud to live in Oakland and appreciate the cultural diversity and artistic expression that makes Oakland unique.
Participants agreed that girls and young women in Oakland receive mixed messages about female sexuality - both experiencing significant pressure to conform to their families, communities, and/or societal expectations and being hurt and disappointed by the low expectations that society holds for them.
Girls of color experience significant harassment from derogatory names and disrespect from boys their own age to sexual harassment from older men in spaces.
Recommendations:
Expand the number of safe public spaces for teens to socialize and engage in recreation. The participants are excited about the possibility of having a skating rink, dance halls, places to record music and have rap battles, and other opportunities like bowling that are affordable.
Sponsor community events and celebrations that are safe and youth friendly.
Keep offering programs like the ones that young women are currently participating in that support girls and offer them the opportunity to learn something new.
Expand opportunities for mentoring and linking young women to positive female role models, and lift up positive, diverse female role models who have made a difference in Oakland— through public art and statues, community events, and other celebratory occasions.
Teach girls how to be safe in Oakland through safety training and self-defense.
Support male-focused education that emphasizes caring and respectful relationships with women.
