Sociodemographic and Environmental Correlates of Racial Socialization by Black Parents

Abstract

The present study focused on the content and practice of racial socialization by black parents. Sociodemographic correlates of patterns of racial socialization were examined using data from a national probability sample of 2,107 respondents (National Study of Black Americans). Multivariate analysis revealed that gender, age, marital status, region, and racial composition of neighborhood predicted whether or not black parents imparted racial socialization messages to their children. Black parents envision racial socialization as involving several components, including messages regarding their experience as minority group members, themes emphasizing individual character and goals, and information related to black cultural heritage. The findings highlighted the critical importance of sociodemographic and environmental influences on the socialization process. Implications for future research on racial socialization are discussed.

Racial‐ethnic Identity in Context: Examining Mediation of Neighborhood Factors on Children's Academic Adjustment

“…Research has consistently shown that the messages that parents communicate to their children are associated with youth’s racial-ethnic identity (Hughes et al, 2006; Hughes et al, 2009). Further, these messages are shaped by the geographical and neighborhood context (Caughy, Nettles, O’Campo, & Lohrfink, 2006; Thornton, Chatters, Taylor, & Allen, 1990). Thornton and colleagues (1990) found that parents of African American children in the Northeastern region of the United States were more likely to communicate messages about race to their children.…”

“…Further, these messages are shaped by the geographical and neighborhood context (Caughy, Nettles, O’Campo, & Lohrfink, 2006; Thornton, Chatters, Taylor, & Allen, 1990). Thornton and colleagues (1990) found that parents of African American children in the Northeastern region of the United States were more likely to communicate messages about race to their children. Further, Caughy and colleagues (2006) showed that among African American children in urban neighborhoods, promotion of mistrust and preparation for bias (e.g., discrimination) messages increased in neighborhoods with a negative social climate while racial pride messages increased in neighborhoods with greater social capital.…”

Socialization of Culture and Coping with Discrimination Among American Indian Families: Examining Cultural Correlates of Youth Outcomes

“…The transmission of messages about family culture or coping with discrimination from parents to children often occur simultaneously through multiple pathways, including explicit and implicit verbal and nonverbal messages, exposure to objects, experiences and contexts, as well as parental modeling of behavioral and emotional responses (Caughy et al, 2002; Hughes et al, 2006; Lesane-Brown, 2006; Thornton et al, 1990). Developing an understanding of this integrated and often simultaneous delivery of these independent modes of transmission during the socialization process is critically important to understanding youth outcomes, and calls for methodological approaches such as observational methods that allow researchers to synthesize an assessment of the multidimensional, dynamic aspects of parental socialization.…”

“…For example, research that compared racial socialization among African Americans found the youth who were socialized to be aware of racial barriers and were cautioned about interracial challenges had more positive behavioral and psychological outcomes than youth who were given no messages about race or who received negative in-group messages (Thornton, Chatters, Taylor, & Allen, 1990). Moreover, Fischer and Shaw (1999) found the receipt of parental messages about coping with discrimination attenuated the relationship between youth’s own experiences of racism and poor mental health outcomes.…”

What Parents Say and in Which Way They Convey Messages about Ethnicity to Children?

“…Roditeljske poruke o etničkoj pripadnosti prisutne su u većini manjinskih obitelji (Thornton, Chatters, Taylor i Allen, 1990), ali se pojavljuju i u većinskima (Hamm, 2001). U anglo-američkoj literaturi izmjenjuju se termini koji označuju ove obiteljske procese: rasni odgoj (engl.…”