Citation

Payne YA. J. Black Psychol. 2011; 37(4): 426-451.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Association of Black Psychologists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0095798410394178

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The following argument calls for the radical reconceptualization of the concept of resiliency and resilience for street life-oriented Black men. This theoretical analysis critiques assumptions embedded within traditional models of resilience asserting (a) they are too value-laden, (b) place much of the onus on individuals to determine resilience, (c) lack a structural dimension, and (d) allow only "experts" to deem individuals as resilient or nonresilient. A site of resilience theoretical model is an alternative conceptualization presented to examine notions of resilience in street life-oriented Black men. The site of resilience theory (a) takes into account street life-oriented Black men's subjective constructions of resilience; (b) examines them in relation to issues of race, gender, and social class; and (c) identifies psychological and physical spaces or "sites" for evaluating more relevantly the ways in which street life-oriented Black men cope and become resilient.