Scholars have long since documented the tenuous relationship between African Americans the police. Despite the plethora of research that highlights the factors affecting the relationship between the African American community and law enforcement, few studies have examined how African Americans manage police encounters and whether such strategies are gendered. Fewer studies have explored the advice parents give to their children as to how to handle police and whether such instructions are gendered. Drawing from Hirshman's (1970)'s organization framework, this study explores the strategies African American adults employ during police encounters, the police-citizen outcomes, and whether such tactics vary by gender. The current study also examines the advice parents give to children as to how to navigate police interactions and whether such advice is gendered. Using in-depth interviews with 38 Ferguson, Missouri residents and protesters, findings that suggest men and women utilize similar strategies; however, the outcomes vary by gender. Findings also reveal that parents provide their children with gender specific advice when they encounter police. -- Abstract.
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