Racial socialization messages in White parents' discussions of current events involving racism

Abstract

This study presents a detailed qualitative analysis of the racial ideologies White parents of adolescents communicate to their children in the context of discussions of race-related current events. Two samples of White parents of adolescents ages 14-17 were recruited online in September 2019 (Study 1, N = 124) and June 2020 (Study 2, N = 104), respectively. Parents responded to prompts about race-related current events, and their answers were coded. Rates of discussion of race-related current events in 2020 were double that of 2019; however, qualitative analysis revealed that White parents in the 2020 sample communicated fewer clear messages about race and Whiteness to their children. Socialization messages relating to Whiteness were rare in both samples.

White parents of adopted Black children in an era of racial reckoning: Challenges, tensions, and strategies

“…Witnessing events that involved activism (e.g., protests) also appeared to facilitate valuable discussions about justice, more broadly. Yet tensions emerged as some parents voiced concerns about children's vulnerability amidst activist encounters and protests (Abaied et al, 2021; Underhill, 2018). Their reluctance may have been fueled by anticipation of the difficult feelings that such events might engender in them (Hertz, 2008) and their children (e.g., about differences in privilege), as well as general concerns about unrest and violence.…”

“…The assaults on unarmed Black men by law enforcement during the last half‐decade in particular may serve as stimuli for conversations about physical and emotional survival (Threlfall, 2016). White parents with White children may be silent about racial tensions and protests out of a desire to “preserve their innocence” as well as due to a perceived lack of relevance (Abaied et al, 2021; Underhill, 2018). When White parents do engage in such discussions, they rarely initiate them, but do so in response to children's queries (Underhill, 2018).…”

“…When White parents do engage in such discussions, they rarely initiate them, but do so in response to children's queries (Underhill, 2018). Many White parents do not even show racial awareness, with a study of White parents' reactions to the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests finding that 25% were skeptical that racism exists; likewise, many communicated “mixed messages” about racism to their White children, with just 2% mentioning their White privilege in the context of discussing the protests (Abaied et al, 2021). White parents of Black children cannot as easily dismiss such protests as irrelevant and deny the existence of racism, but still may be influenced by their White racial frame.…”