Between tradition and self: the complex realities of professional Black womanhood in South African families and society

The complexity surrounding the experiences of Black professional women in South Africa, in particular bearing the burden of having to navigate a racialised and patriarchal society, has received attention in the literature. Black women are influenced by family, culture and society, and these domains shape their experiences. The aim of this study was to investigate how culture and patriarchy affect the lives of Black professional women in South Africa. This study shows how gendered expectations of care and responsibility are learnt early, normalised over time, and disproportionately absorbed by Black professional women across family and social contexts in South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to make meaning of the experiences of the participants. Data were collected from 14 participants through semi-structured interviews. The accounts of the participants in this study illuminated the multi-dimensionality of their experiences as they navigate intertwined roles and spheres. The findings revealed five themes: (a) gendered upbringing as preparatory labour, (b) racialised and gendered expectations of strength, (c) motherhood as gendered responsibility, (d) gendered communal care obligations and (e) normalised self-neglect. The study carries implications for the socialisation of boys and girls, and policy that is supportive of families.