They are seen less as children and do not enjoy the joys of girlhood and innocence. Black girls are seen as grown women despite them being very young. Research consistently shows that adults perceive black girls as less innocent than white girls from as young as 5 years old. Adults were even found to try to change black girls’ behaviour so they are more passive, and had less empathy for them compared to their white peers.

We need to consider cultural burdens and expectations placed on young Black girls’ shoulders. From an early age, the expectation to learn to cook and clean whilst their brothers and fathers get to play and chill. There is the expectation of being a ‘proper girl’ meaning if a girl expresses interest in activities such as rugby or music, they are advised to consider something more appropriate.

Black girls are also labelled ‘loud’, ‘sassy’, ‘rude’ or ‘difficult’. The negative words associated with black women are of biases from their peers and people around them. This can cause harm and trauma that can make it difficult for the girl to transition from girlhood to adulthood. Many young girls are then forced to internalise these traumas of their negative experiences in order to survive and get by. Negative stereotypes of black women and girls, racism, sexism, and poverty all contribute to this adultification bias – leaving traumas that follow them into adulthood.