Challenging the Narratives Around Black Women & Girls

Resilience for Black women and girls is often misunderstood, celebrated in ways that glorify struggle or demand relentless strength. A new article in American Psychologist, “I Am Not (Your) Superwoman, Black Girl Magic, or Beautiful Struggle: Rethinking the Resilience of Black Women and Girls,” challenges these narratives and calls for a shift toward holistic well-being…. continue reading

Can Sesame Street Stay True to Its Roots?

What happens when a cultural cornerstone like Sesame Street faces an uncertain future? Huffington Post’s article, The Future of ‘Sesame Street’ Hangs in the Balance. Its Core Audience Might Not Care, by Candace McDuffie, explores this pressing question—and features expert insights from Marilisa Jiménez García, Associate Professor of Childhood Studies at Rutgers University-Camden. The article… continue reading

Pioneering New Directions in Girlhood Studies

Girlhood studies offer a powerful lens to explore how culture, power, and identity intersect. Featured in Girl Museum’s Why We Need Girls’ Studies series, the co-founders of the Girlhood Studies Collective, Dr. Halle Singh and E Lev Feinman, discuss their efforts to expand critical research in this dynamic field. Dr. Singh, a Rutgers Childhood Studies… continue reading

Balancing Coursework, Research, and Career Goals

In this episode of the Recording Rutgers Podcast, we’re joined by Gaylene Gordon, a Childhood Studies doctoral candidate and alum of the Criminal Justice MA program—affectionately known as the Writing Mechanic—joins us to share her insights on combining professional experience with research interests to carve a niche in the academic market. She tackles the pivotal… continue reading

Raising a Family, Pursuing a PhD, & Changing Lives

Balancing motherhood, work, and education, a determined teenage mother transformed her life into one marked by academic excellence and impactful research. Janene Ryan, a PhD candidate in the Childhood Studies program at Rutgers-Camden, has dedicated her academic journey to amplifying the voices of children often unheard. From exploring childhood trauma to examining the psychological impacts… continue reading