Through social movements such as Me Too and the various protests across the globe for women’s rights, many people realize that women experience intergenerational trauma.
Mainly, racialized women are subject to both sexism and racism experiences which often shape their outlooks for the rest of their lives.
Differing from historical trauma, intergenerational trauma focuses on the trauma experienced within the family and the effects of which are passed down for generations. For example, experiences of intimate partner violence, family violence, and abuse can cause long-term impacts for all involved.
For racialized women, this often comes in the form of patriarchal family structures, which devalue the role of women in the family.
When faced with intergenerational trauma, it is simple for the children of parents with this trauma to grow bitter and resentful. Accordingly, parents are not inclined always to discuss their traumatic experiences with their children, making it increasingly challenging to address intergenerational trauma. However, I believe learning and working through these experiences is essential to move past them.
For racialized women, this is often an idealistic and hopeful vie. Unfortunately, financial, economic, social, and cultural retrains impeded our ability to access the appropriate services and supports.
Providing a quick link to a counselling site or another service is unhelpful when they are both unaffordable and inaccessible. What happens to be “free” or, to an extent, more accessible is the internet and online services and support groups.
The Ladies Corner Legacy
Through organizations such as Ladies Corner Canada, racialized women have access to numerous service and support providers and the opportunity to hear and speak to other racialized women. Often, feeling alone is more comfortable than realizing that others are going through the same struggles.
For this reason, resources and supports provided through organizations such as Ladies Corner Canada are vital in creating a secure and connected group of racialized women.
Moving on from any trauma is hard on your own, but creating a network of other women with similar experiences can be a great help. Learning from others is also a critical part of growing as an individual, meaning there is always value in speaking with others. Hopefully, the future holds many more resources and organizations to support women in their struggles with intergenerational trauma.
