Weathering Hypothesis For African Americans

The definition of weathering is to wear away or change in appearance or texture due to long exposure to air. This concept is also applicable to the human body. This is called the weathering hypothesis. The weathering hypothesis was coined by Dr. Geronimus, which states that African Americans in the United States experience early health deterioration, measured by biological indicators of repeated exposure to and adaptation to stressors (Geronimus, Hicken, Pearson, Seashols, Brown, & Cruz, 2010). Dr. Geronimus accredits racial disparities and stressful environments as contributing factors to the premature aging. However, there are many other reasons as to why the African American community is susceptible to early health deterioration and chronic disease (Geronimus et al., 2010). Some alternative contributing factors are early childbearing, low socioeconomic status, employment related health effects, racial disparities in health care, and
chronic stress. All of these components have an adverse impact on the psychological, physical, and social well being of African Americans. African American women have the largest life expectancy gap compared to White women. African American men are, on average, three years older than their racial counterparts; however, African American women between the ages 49-55 are approximately seven and a half years older than white women. Early childbearing is a major reason as to why there is such a large biological gap between black women and white women. Dr. Geronimus hypothesizes that relatively early fertility timing in the poor and especially African American communities may be directly related to pervasive health deterioration. Studies have been conducted in North Carolina by Buescher and Mittal in order to determine the effects of maternal age on racial disparities and birth outcomes. Preterm delivery and low birth weight rates are two times more prevalent in African American women than in white women. These high risks births have lasting effects on the health of the child as well as the mother. For example, preterm delivery and low birth rate can predict infant mortality and other future health outcomes. Some examples of those outcomes are child development deficits, and cardiovascular disease and diabetes as an adult. (Nuru-Jeter, Dominguez, Hammond, Leu, Skaff, Egerter, & Braveman, 2009).
There are numerous detrimental effects on the mother.
For instance, early childbearing can cause premature aging in the placental tissue and other organs because her reproductive organs are not fully developed yet. According to Spencer, there is a correlation between early childbearing and higher rates of depression. It is also associated with negative social outcomes such as limitation in educational achievement, prolonged unemployment, and economic hardship. African American women may also experience early health deterioration due to “their experience with racism and the consequences of disproportionate low socioeconomic status” (Spence, N. J. 2008). Low socioeconomic status is a large contributing factor in the acceleration of aging in African Americans. Socioeconomic status consists of numerous elements in association with health disparities, such as education, employment status, income, housing, and neighborhood. Socioeconomic status is similar to the “Domino Effect” where one element affects other elements in a
lifestyle.
Education “is the most widely used indicator of socioeconomic status, and the most basic component of socioeconomic status.” This is due to “it’s influence on future occupational opportunities and earning potential” (Shavers, 2007). Low quality education or developmental deficits, associated with early childbearing, can diminish cognitive capacity in critical thinking and reduce efficiency of learning in the future.A prime example of low quality education is the recent ruling in November of 2014 by the Michigan Court of Appeals. A shocking 2-1 decision reversed a previous court ruling stating that there is a “broad compelling state interest in the provision of education to all students” (). This reverse of ruling ultimately means that “the court has no constitutional requirement to ensure schoolchildren actually learn fundamental skills such as reading” (). Undereducation also leads to little opportunities to improve job-related skills (Stritter, ). Education is the first domino in a long line of dominoes to fall throughout life. Since education affects occupational opportunities and earning potential, low quality education proceeds to low income or an increased rate of unemployment. African American men and women are paid substantially less than their racial counterparts. This is due to the occupational skill gap between the races that is caused by lack of schooling but is also prevalent before proper education is completed. (Ritter, 2011). However, the unemployment gap between White and Black men is disproportionately high. “Black men and women are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as nonblack/non-Hispanic respondents” (Ritter, 2011 ). Leslie Stratton discovered through surveys and research that the occupational skill gap only accounts for one-fifth of the difference in employment, which leads to the belief that racial indicators are also involved (Ritter, 2011).