Multicultural Reviews
Utilizing Critical Feminist Theory
A Review of Swimming against the Tide:
African American Girls and Science Education
Theresa Stovall
Hanson, Sandra L. (2009). Swimming the influences counselors have on career
against the Tide: African American Girls and path selection. I believe the book would
Science Education. Philadelphia: Temple have been strengthened with some em-
University Press. 208 p., ISBN: 978-1592- phasis on this educational role.
136216. $45. Overall, Swimming against the
Tide: African American Girls and Sci-
In an era of education that promotes
ence Education is the result of a research
student-centeredness, Swimming against
project that was funded by a grant from
the Tide: African American Girls and Sci-
the Division of Research, Evaluation, and
ence Education by Sandra L. Hanson is
Communication of the National Science
a book that all educators and counselors
Foundation. Hanson asks the following
should read to discover and contemplate
questions to guide her study (p.1): What
the veiled experiences female students
are the experiences of African-American
share in education. Although Hanson ex-
women in science education? Why are
amines only the science domain, I believe,
these women (African American women)
as an experienced English educator, that
interested in science? Do they experience
my colleagues and I, as well as anyone else
a double disadvantage from being female
who counsels students with regard to their
and Black?
career paths, will benefit from reading
To set the stage for this research,
Hanson’s compilation of empirical data on
Hanson proclaims her goal of examining
students’ comments about their learning
the experiences of young African-Ameri-
environments and the outside factors that
can women pursuing study in science
influence their career choices.
education. She looks at three factors:
Hanson’s book