FAMILY HAIR
CARE TRAINING
As part of Knot Your Average Academy, we are committed to making sure every child has a great hair day.
WHAT WE KNOW
In the state of Florida, there are approximately 21,000 children in foster care. In the United States, Black and African American children account for the largest racial/ethnic group in the foster care system, representing 37% of all children in foster care in Florida.
DID YOU KNOW?
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A survey conducted by Dove found that 72% of Black girls feel pressure to fit in with mainstream beauty standards, and 80% of Black girls report that they don't feel represented by mainstream media.
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A study published in the Journal of Black Psychology found that Black girls as young as five years old experience internalized racial prejudice and are aware of societal bias against natural Black hair.
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Another study published in the International Journal of Social Science Studies found that Black adolescent girls who reported a higher level of hair esteem were more likely to report higher levels of self-esteem and a stronger sense of ethnic identity
HOW WE HELP
RESEARCH SAYS
Hair-related discrimination can have negative consequences for Black individuals' self-esteem, mental health, and academic and career success.
OUR APPROACH
Given the importance of hair to Black individuals' identity and self-esteem, it is crucial for foster care professionals to support and affirm young Black individuals' hair choices and expressions of cultural identity.
OUR SOLUTION
By promoting positive self-image and cultural pride, foster care professionals can help young Black individuals build resilience and thrive in the face of adversity
While adoption agencies require prospective parents to undergo competency training, not all provide courses that cover the unique issues that trans-racial families face.
To some, learning about black hair care may seem trivial in comparison to other issues (identity development, behavior disorders, academic performance) that adopted and fostered children face.
But for many black children, we've learned that hair is a marker of an identity. Hair offers a connection to a culture and lineage rooted in them from birth.
With Knot Your Average Academy’s assistance, families will:
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Learn the appropriate hair language
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Learn the difference in hair textures
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Learn the best products for hair care and styling
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Learn protective styling techniques
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Gain a community and family of support in the journey
In addition to hair care training, we provide low cost Family Hair Care Kits to children in need of hair essentials. Each kit includes an assortment of combs, a silk bonnet for bedtime, a plastic shower cap, various hair ties, hair clips. The hair essentials are in a clear, plastic cosmetic bag, small enough to be placed in backpacks and can be used to add more hair care items over time. Each kit purchase comes with an online learning tutorial of how to use the items in the kit.