The hidden experiences of women of colour who stammer
By Ella Sinclair
Stammering affects 1% of adults, and, within that, men are four times more likely to stammer than women – described in 2012 by researchers as “a minority within a minority.” There is a dearth of research covering the experiences of women who stammer.
The little research that does exist paints a clear picture: experiences of stammering are gendered. Women often engage in gendered tactics of managing and understanding their stammer: letting their husband speak for them, or being quiet on dates, for example – affecting numerous aspects of their lives.
I couldn’t find any research focusing on the experiences of women of colour who stammer specifically. Like anything else, stammering intersects with other aspects of our multifaceted identities – including race and gender. The reality of being a woman of colour who stammers comes with its own distinct challenges, often engendering increased risk of stigma and discrimination.
The hidden experiences of women of colour who stammer
By Ella Sinclair