Jackson Discusses the Health Phenomenon ‘Weathering’ and Its Impact on Black Women With Insider

February 17, 2023

Insider

Jenn M. Jackson

Political Science Department

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

Black

Gender and Sex

Mental Health

United States

Insider

Jenn M. Jackson

Weathering, as we know it, is a geological term defined as the process of wearing or being worn by long exposure to the atmosphere. More recently, it's also been coined in the public health space as the process of wearing or being worn by repeated exposure to stressors. Anyone of a marginalized background can suffer from weathering, but according to research, Black Americans persistently fall victim the most.

"We know that Black women are paid less than their white counterparts, are expected to work longer hours with fewer pay raises, and are the most likely to be in unemployment lines when those rates increase. So these types of discriminatory practices shape the types of visceral effects that happen to Black women's bodies," says Jenn Jackson, assistant professor of political science.

Read more in the Insider article, "Black women in America are up against a lot, and it's causing their bodies to weather."