title: Cultural Preparation for Womanhood in Urban African American Girls: Growing Strong Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Poor sexual health is a significant contributor to morbidity in young African American women. Knowing how sexual knowledge is transmitted to Black girls is needed to develop effective preventive interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which Black mothers transmit sexual values and knowledge to their daughters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted with 14 mothers, aged 25 to 34 years, with daughters aged 8 to 16 years. Data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The themes derived were (a) truth telling, (b) building strength through self-esteem, and (c) spirituality as helper. The overarching cultural theme was "Growing Strong Black Women."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers' discussions with their daughters were infused with cultural meaning derived from their experiences. Black girls' behavioral responses to their mothers' strategies need to be studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings will help nurses develop effective interventions that take into account the cultural realities of Black mothers.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA donna.shambley-ebron@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shambley-Ebron
authors.affiliation: Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.affiliation: Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Akosua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karikari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D019529:Sexuality; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016746:Transcultural Nursing; D014481:United States
keywords: African Americans; adolescents; clinical areas; community health; cultural groups; health disparities; pediatrics